Lydgate's Fall of Princes Edited by Dr. Henry Bergen ... presented to The Early English Text Society by The Carnegie Institution of Washington |
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| II. | BOOK II |
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 | Lydgate's Fall of Princes |  |
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BOOK II
[Prologue.]
To summe folk, parcas, it wolde seeme,
Touchyng the chaunges & mutabilites
Bi me rehersid, that thei myhte deeme,
Off Fortunes straunge aduersites
To pryncis shewed, doun pullid from ther sees,
The tragedies auhte inouh suffise
In compleynyng, which ye han herd deuise.
Touchyng the chaunges & mutabilites
Bi me rehersid, that thei myhte deeme,
Off Fortunes straunge aduersites
To pryncis shewed, doun pullid from ther sees,
The tragedies auhte inouh suffise
In compleynyng, which ye han herd deuise.
The stori pitous, the processe lamentable,
Void off ioie, al gladnesse and plesaunce,
A thyng to greuous and to inportable,
Where-as no merthe is medlid with greuaunce,
Al upon compleynt standith thalliaunce,
Most whan Fortune, who that hir cours weel knewe,
Chaungith old ioie into sorwes newe.
Void off ioie, al gladnesse and plesaunce,
A thyng to greuous and to inportable,
Where-as no merthe is medlid with greuaunce,
Al upon compleynt standith thalliaunce,
Most whan Fortune, who that hir cours weel knewe,
Chaungith old ioie into sorwes newe.
For onto hym that neuer wiste off wo,
Remembraunce off his old gladnesse,
Whan his weelfare & plesaunce is ago,
And neuer aforn knew off non heuynesse,—
Such vnwar chaung, such vnkouth wrechidnesse
Causith in pryncis, thoruh newe dedli trouble,
Afftir ther fallyng ther sorwes to be double.
Remembraunce off his old gladnesse,
Whan his weelfare & plesaunce is ago,
And neuer aforn knew off non heuynesse,—
Such vnwar chaung, such vnkouth wrechidnesse
Causith in pryncis, thoruh newe dedli trouble,
Afftir ther fallyng ther sorwes to be double.
Olde exaumples off pryncis that ha[ue] fall,
Ther remembraunce off newe brouht to mynde,
May been a merour to estatis all,
How thei in vertu shal remedies fynde
Teschewe vices, off such as wer maad blynde,
Fro sodeyn fallyng hemsiluen to preserue,
Longe to contune and thank off God disserue.
Ther remembraunce off newe brouht to mynde,
May been a merour to estatis all,
How thei in vertu shal remedies fynde
Teschewe vices, off such as wer maad blynde,
Fro sodeyn fallyng hemsiluen to preserue,
Longe to contune and thank off God disserue.
The fall off on is a cleer lanterne
To teche a-nother what he shal eschewe;
Pereil off on, is, who can discerne,
Scoole and doctryn from pereil to remewe.
As men disserue such guerdoun ther mut sewe;
In vice nor vertu no man may God deceyue,
Lik ther desertis ther meede thei [shal] receyue.
To teche a-nother what he shal eschewe;
Pereil off on, is, who can discerne,
Scoole and doctryn from pereil to remewe.
As men disserue such guerdoun ther mut sewe;
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Lik ther desertis ther meede thei [shal] receyue.
Who folweth vertu lengest doth perseuere,
Be it in richesse, be it in pouerte;
Liht off trouthe his cleernesse kepith euere
Ageyn thassautis off al aduersite.
Vertu is cause off long prosperite;
And whan pryncis fro vertu doun declyne,
Ther fame is shroudid vndir the cliptik lyne.
Be it in richesse, be it in pouerte;
Liht off trouthe his cleernesse kepith euere
Ageyn thassautis off al aduersite.
Vertu is cause off long prosperite;
And whan pryncis fro vertu doun declyne,
Ther fame is shroudid vndir the cliptik lyne.
For fals Fortune, which turneth as a ball,
Off vnwar chaunges thouh men hir wheel atwite,
It is nat she that pryncis gaff the fall,
But vicious lyuyng, pleynli to endite:
Thouh God aboue ful offte hem doth respite,
Longe abidith, and doth his grace sende
To this entent, thei sholde ther liff amende.
Off vnwar chaunges thouh men hir wheel atwite,
It is nat she that pryncis gaff the fall,
But vicious lyuyng, pleynli to endite:
Thouh God aboue ful offte hem doth respite,
Longe abidith, and doth his grace sende
To this entent, thei sholde ther liff amende.
For ther weelfare and ther abidyng longe,
Who aduertisith, dependith nat on chaunce.
Good liff and vertu maketh hem to be stronge,
And hem assureth in long perseueraunce;
Vertu on Fortune maketh a diffiaunce,
That Fortune hath no domynacioun
Wher noble pryncis be gouerned be resoun.
Who aduertisith, dependith nat on chaunce.
Good liff and vertu maketh hem to be stronge,
And hem assureth in long perseueraunce;
Vertu on Fortune maketh a diffiaunce,
That Fortune hath no domynacioun
Wher noble pryncis be gouerned be resoun.
But such as list[e] nat correctid be
Bexaumple off othre fro vicious gouernaunce,
And fro ther vices list nat for to fle:
Yiff thei be troubled in ther hih puissaunce,
Thei arette it Fortunys variaunce,
Touchyng the giltes that thei deden vse,
Ther demerites ful falsli to excuse.
Bexaumple off othre fro vicious gouernaunce,
And fro ther vices list nat for to fle:
Yiff thei be troubled in ther hih puissaunce,
Thei arette it Fortunys variaunce,
Touchyng the giltes that thei deden vse,
Ther demerites ful falsli to excuse.
Vertu conserueth pryncis in ther glorie
And confermeth ther dominaciouns;
And vicis put ther price out off memorie,
For ther trespacis and ther transgressiouns.
And in alle such sodeyn mutaciouns,
Thei can no refut nor no bet socour,
But ageyn Fortune to maken ther clamour.
And confermeth ther dominaciouns;
And vicis put ther price out off memorie,
For ther trespacis and ther transgressiouns.
And in alle such sodeyn mutaciouns,
Thei can no refut nor no bet socour,
But ageyn Fortune to maken ther clamour.
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Make an outcri on hir doubilnesse,
As no gilt were in ther owne deede;
Thus ontreuli thei calle hir a goddesse,
Which lite or nouht may helpe at such a neede.
But yiff thei hadde God in loue & dreede,
Trustid his lordshep in herte, will & thouht,
Thei sholde Fortune pleynli sette at nouht.
As no gilt were in ther owne deede;
Thus ontreuli thei calle hir a goddesse,
Which lite or nouht may helpe at such a neede.
But yiff thei hadde God in loue & dreede,
Trustid his lordshep in herte, will & thouht,
Thei sholde Fortune pleynli sette at nouht.
Euidencis ful expert and palpable,
Toforn rehersid, told off dyuers ages,
Worldli glorie veyn and ful onstable,
With deceites double off ther visages,
Shewyng to pryncis ferme off ther corages,
Be these exaumples, how and in what wise
By othris fallyng thei shal hemsilff chastise.
Toforn rehersid, told off dyuers ages,
Worldli glorie veyn and ful onstable,
With deceites double off ther visages,
Shewyng to pryncis ferme off ther corages,
Be these exaumples, how and in what wise
By othris fallyng thei shal hemsilff chastise.
Signes shewed and toknes in the heuene,
Dyuers cometis and constellaciouns,
Dreedful thundryng, feerful firi leuene,
Rumour in erthe and gret discenciouns,
Disobeisaunce in sondry regiouns,
Shewen exaumples, ful weel afferme I dar,
To myhti pryncis, hem biddyng to be war,
Dyuers cometis and constellaciouns,
Dreedful thundryng, feerful firi leuene,
Rumour in erthe and gret discenciouns,
Disobeisaunce in sondry regiouns,
Shewen exaumples, ful weel afferme I dar,
To myhti pryncis, hem biddyng to be war,
Ther liff tamende or the Lord do smyte,
Thoruh necligence or it be to late;
And or the suerd off vengaunce kerue & bite,
Into vertues ther vicious liff translate,
Cherisshe rihtwisnesse, ageyn al wrong debate,
With dreed off God make hemsiluen stronge:
Than is no doubte thei shal enduren longe.
Thoruh necligence or it be to late;
And or the suerd off vengaunce kerue & bite,
Into vertues ther vicious liff translate,
Cherisshe rihtwisnesse, ageyn al wrong debate,
With dreed off God make hemsiluen stronge:
Than is no doubte thei shal enduren longe.
Who is nat war bi othres chastisyng,
Othre bi hym shal chastised be:
Hard is is that herte, which for no writyng,
For no dottryn nor non auctorite,
For non exaumple will from his vices flee;
To indurat is his froward entent,
Which wil nat suffre his hardnesse to relent.
Othre bi hym shal chastised be:
Hard is is that herte, which for no writyng,
For no dottryn nor non auctorite,
For non exaumple will from his vices flee;
To indurat is his froward entent,
Which wil nat suffre his hardnesse to relent.
The rounde dropis off the smothe reyn,
Which that discende & falle from aloffte
On stonys harde, at eye as it is seyn,
Perceth ther hardnesse with ther fallyng offte,
Al-be in touchyng, water is but soffte;
The percyng causid be force nor puissaunce,
But off fallyng be long contynuaunce.
Which that discende & falle from aloffte
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Perceth ther hardnesse with ther fallyng offte,
Al-be in touchyng, water is but soffte;
The percyng causid be force nor puissaunce,
But off fallyng be long contynuaunce.
Semblabli, off riht I dar reherse,
Offte reedyng on bookis fructuous
The hertis sholde off prudent pryncis perse,
Synke in ther mynde & make hem vertuous
Teschewe all thynge that is vicious:
For what auaileth thexaumples that thei reede,
To ther reedyng yiff contraire be the deede?
Offte reedyng on bookis fructuous
The hertis sholde off prudent pryncis perse,
Synke in ther mynde & make hem vertuous
Teschewe all thynge that is vicious:
For what auaileth thexaumples that thei reede,
To ther reedyng yiff contraire be the deede?
Cunnyng and deede, who can comprehende,
In cleer conceites thei be thynges tweyne;
And yiff cunnyng doth the deede amende,
Than atwen hem is maad a myhti cheyne,
A noble thyng, and riht souereyne:
For thanne off cunnyng the labour is weel spent,
Whan deede folweth, & bothe been off assent.
In cleer conceites thei be thynges tweyne;
And yiff cunnyng doth the deede amende,
Than atwen hem is maad a myhti cheyne,
A noble thyng, and riht souereyne:
For thanne off cunnyng the labour is weel spent,
Whan deede folweth, & bothe been off assent.
Thus Iohn Bochas procedyng in his book,
Which in noumbre is callid the secounde,
Gan for to write, and his purpos took
To sette in stories such as he hadde founde,
Off entent alle vices to confounde
Be thexaumples which he dede expresse.
And at the gynnyng off his besynesse,
Which in noumbre is callid the secounde,
Gan for to write, and his purpos took
To sette in stories such as he hadde founde,
Off entent alle vices to confounde
Be thexaumples which he dede expresse.
And at the gynnyng off his besynesse,
Myhti Saul to hym dede appeere,
Kyng off Israel, pitousli wepyng,
Dedli off face, and with an hidous cheere,
His vois Ibroke be manyfold sobbyng;
And to myn auctour his sorwe compleynyng,
Requeryng hym, togidre whan thei mette,
First in his book his woful fate to sette.
Kyng off Israel, pitousli wepyng,
Dedli off face, and with an hidous cheere,
His vois Ibroke be manyfold sobbyng;
And to myn auctour his sorwe compleynyng,
Requeryng hym, togidre whan thei mette,
First in his book his woful fate to sette.
Anon afftir, I off entencioun,
With penne in hande faste gan me speede,
As I koude, in my translacioun,
In this labour ferthere to proceede,
My lord cam forbi, and gan to taken heede;
This myhti prynce, riht manli & riht wis,
Gaff me charge in his prudent auys,
With penne in hande faste gan me speede,
As I koude, in my translacioun,
In this labour ferthere to proceede,
My lord cam forbi, and gan to taken heede;
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Gaff me charge in his prudent auys,
That I sholde in eueri tragedie,
Afftir the processe made mencioun,
At the eende sette a remedie,
With a lenvoie conueied be resoun,
And afftir that, with humble affeccioun,
To noble pryncis lowli it directe,
Bi othres fallyng [thei myht] themsilff correcte.
Afftir the processe made mencioun,
At the eende sette a remedie,
With a lenvoie conueied be resoun,
And afftir that, with humble affeccioun,
To noble pryncis lowli it directe,
Bi othres fallyng [thei myht] themsilff correcte.
And I obeied his biddyng and plesaunce,
Vnder support off his magnyficence.
As I coude, I gan my penne auaunce,
Al-be I was bareyn off eloquence,
Folwyng myn auctour in substaunce & sentence:
For it suffised, pleynli, onto me,
So that my lord my makyng took at gre.
Vnder support off his magnyficence.
As I coude, I gan my penne auaunce,
Al-be I was bareyn off eloquence,
Folwyng myn auctour in substaunce & sentence:
For it suffised, pleynli, onto me,
So that my lord my makyng took at gre.
Finis prologi libri secundi.
Sequitur liber secundus.
[How Saul, Kyng of Ierusalem born of low degre as long as he dred god was obedient to him/and rewlid by good counsaile had many grete disconfitures/ but atte last/for his pride presumpcioun and grete disobysaunce/he lost his crowne and was slayn by Philestees.]
This said[e] Saul, of whom I spak toforn,
Ful weel compact & large of his stature,
Off the lyne of Beniamyn eek born,
His fader Ceis was callid in Scripture,
Whos assis whilom leffte ther pasture;—
Space off thre daies Saul hadde hem souht,
Loste his labour and ne fond hem nouht.
Ful weel compact & large of his stature,
Off the lyne of Beniamyn eek born,
His fader Ceis was callid in Scripture,
Whos assis whilom leffte ther pasture;—
Space off thre daies Saul hadde hem souht,
Loste his labour and ne fond hem nouht.
For thei were gon out so ferr a-stray,
So disseuered he ne koude hem meete,
Til that a child hym suyng al the way
Gaff hym counseil his labour for to lete,
And that he sholde gon to the prophete,
Which was ful famous holde in Israel,
Off whom the name was callid Samuel.
So disseuered he ne koude hem meete,
Til that a child hym suyng al the way
Gaff hym counseil his labour for to lete,
And that he sholde gon to the prophete,
Which was ful famous holde in Israel,
Off whom the name was callid Samuel.
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Which Saul made in his hous to dyne,
Receyued hym off gret affeccioun;
And be precept & ordenaunce deuyne,
Samuel made no prolongacioun,
But shadde the hooli sacred vnccioun
Vpon the hed off Saul, doun knelyng,
And ful deuoutli off Israel made hym kyng,
Receyued hym off gret affeccioun;
And be precept & ordenaunce deuyne,
Samuel made no prolongacioun,
But shadde the hooli sacred vnccioun
Vpon the hed off Saul, doun knelyng,
And ful deuoutli off Israel made hym kyng,
Off goddis peeple to ha[ue] the gouernaunce,
With sceptre & crowne, and hool the regalie.
And his noblesse mor myhtili tauaunce,
With meek[e]nesse to reule his monarchie,
God gaff to hym a sperit off prophecie,
Which was gret glorie to his magnyficence,
Off futur thynges to haue prescience.
With sceptre & crowne, and hool the regalie.
And his noblesse mor myhtili tauaunce,
With meek[e]nesse to reule his monarchie,
God gaff to hym a sperit off prophecie,
Which was gret glorie to his magnyficence,
Off futur thynges to haue prescience.
And whil that he was meek & humble in deede,
Void off pride and fals presumpcioun,
And prudent counsail with hym dede leede,
Hym to gouerne bi good discrecioun,
He fond quiete thoruh al his regeoun;
No foreyn enmy durst hym tho werreye,
Whil he the Lord meekli dede obeie.
Void off pride and fals presumpcioun,
And prudent counsail with hym dede leede,
Hym to gouerne bi good discrecioun,
He fond quiete thoruh al his regeoun;
No foreyn enmy durst hym tho werreye,
Whil he the Lord meekli dede obeie.
Non enmy myhte ageyn[e]s hym recure
Thoruh non enprises, but sore dede hym dreede;—
Made many gret disconfiture
Thoruh his force, knyhthod & manheede
On Philistes, and dauntid eek in deede
Too myhti kynges, the ton off Ammonytes,
And a-nother, that gouerned Moabites.
Thoruh non enprises, but sore dede hym dreede;—
Made many gret disconfiture
Thoruh his force, knyhthod & manheede
On Philistes, and dauntid eek in deede
Too myhti kynges, the ton off Ammonytes,
And a-nother, that gouerned Moabites.
He was founde eek strong and victorious,
The Palestynes bryngyng to myschaunce;
Geyn Ydumes, so myhti and famous,
Thoruh his knyhtli prudent gouernaunce,
That he ther pride brouhte onto vttraunce,
Outraied hem off wisdam and manheede,—
Primo Regum, as ye may pleynli reede.
The Palestynes bryngyng to myschaunce;
Geyn Ydumes, so myhti and famous,
Thoruh his knyhtli prudent gouernaunce,
That he ther pride brouhte onto vttraunce,
Outraied hem off wisdam and manheede,—
Primo Regum, as ye may pleynli reede.
He was a sone callid off o yeer,
In Israel whan his regne began,
Stable off herte and benygne off cheer,
Froward nor sturdi to no maner man.
Al that while loue off the peeple he wan,
The tyme, I meene, whil he was iust & stable,
And in his werkis nat founde variable.
In Israel whan his regne began,
Stable off herte and benygne off cheer,
Froward nor sturdi to no maner man.
Al that while loue off the peeple he wan,
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And in his werkis nat founde variable.
But whan that pride gan his herte enhaunce,
Wilfulnesse and fals malencolie
Outraied resoun, to ha[ue] the gouernaunce
Off his olde famous policie,
And hadde forgetyn in his fantasie
To knowe the Lord & meekli sue his lawe,
God from his crowne his grace gan withdrawe.
Wilfulnesse and fals malencolie
Outraied resoun, to ha[ue] the gouernaunce
Off his olde famous policie,
And hadde forgetyn in his fantasie
To knowe the Lord & meekli sue his lawe,
God from his crowne his grace gan withdrawe.
Thonkynde werm off foryetilnesse
In his herte hadde myned thoruh the wall,
Whan he to God, for his kynd[e]nesse,
Gaff no laude nor no thank attall,
Which hadde hym reised onto estat royall
Fro pore degre, mong al his kyn alone,
Be synguler fauour to sette hym in his throne.
In his herte hadde myned thoruh the wall,
Whan he to God, for his kynd[e]nesse,
Gaff no laude nor no thank attall,
Which hadde hym reised onto estat royall
Fro pore degre, mong al his kyn alone,
Be synguler fauour to sette hym in his throne.
What thyng in herte mor froward mai be thouht
Than is the sodeyn fals presumpcioun
Off a wrechche that cam vp off nouht,
To yeue hym lordshepe and dominacioun?
And for to make a pleyn comparisoun,
Men sholde off resoun dreede a leoun lasse
Than the reudnesse off a crownyd asse.
Than is the sodeyn fals presumpcioun
Off a wrechche that cam vp off nouht,
To yeue hym lordshepe and dominacioun?
And for to make a pleyn comparisoun,
Men sholde off resoun dreede a leoun lasse
Than the reudnesse off a crownyd asse.
What thyng to God is mor abhomynable
Than pride upreised out off pouerte?
And nothyng gladli is founde mor vengable
Than ar wrechchis set in hih degre:
For from his stok kynde may nat fle;
Ech thyng resortith, how ferr euer it go,
To the nature which that it cam fro.
Than pride upreised out off pouerte?
And nothyng gladli is founde mor vengable
Than ar wrechchis set in hih degre:
For from his stok kynde may nat fle;
Ech thyng resortith, how ferr euer it go,
To the nature which that it cam fro.
Frut and apples taken ther tarage
Wher thei first greuh off the same tre,
And semblabli ech kynreede & lynage—
Onys a yeer it will non othir be—
Be tokne or signe, at eye as men may see,
Draweth comounli in eueri creature
Sum tech to folwen afftir his nature.
Wher thei first greuh off the same tre,
And semblabli ech kynreede & lynage—
Onys a yeer it will non othir be—
Be tokne or signe, at eye as men may see,
Draweth comounli in eueri creature
Sum tech to folwen afftir his nature.
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I write nat this in rebuk off pouert;
But for suche onli as that it disserue:
God off his myht, as men be weel expert,
May hem in vertu encresen and conserue,
From al myscheeff a poore man preserue,
Reise hem on heihte to dominaciouns
Thoruh hih noblesse off ther condiciouns.
But for suche onli as that it disserue:
God off his myht, as men be weel expert,
May hem in vertu encresen and conserue,
From al myscheeff a poore man preserue,
Reise hem on heihte to dominaciouns
Thoruh hih noblesse off ther condiciouns.
Be influence God may his grace sheede
Wher he fynt cause onli be meeknesse,
A poore man to reise hym vp in deede
Onto thestat off vertuous noblesse;
For out off vertu cometh al gentilesse,
In poore and riche mak non excepcioun,
But hem comende lik ther condicioun.
Wher he fynt cause onli be meeknesse,
A poore man to reise hym vp in deede
Onto thestat off vertuous noblesse;
For out off vertu cometh al gentilesse,
In poore and riche mak non excepcioun,
But hem comende lik ther condicioun.
A poore man which that is vertuous
And dredith God in his pouerte,
Ech thyng eschewyng that is vicious,
And to his power doth trouthe & equite,—
I dar riht weel, what-euer that he be,
Puttyng no rebuk onto his kynreede,
But calle hym gentil veraili in deede.
And dredith God in his pouerte,
Ech thyng eschewyng that is vicious,
And to his power doth trouthe & equite,—
I dar riht weel, what-euer that he be,
Puttyng no rebuk onto his kynreede,
But calle hym gentil veraili in deede.
But kyng Saul was contrarious,
Disobeisaunt founde in his werkyng,
Whan God made hym to be victorious
On Amalech, where Agag was kyng,
Hym comaundyng to spare no maner thyng,
Man nor woman, beeste nor child socoure,
But that his suerd sholde al quyk thyng deuoure.
Disobeisaunt founde in his werkyng,
Whan God made hym to be victorious
On Amalech, where Agag was kyng,
Hym comaundyng to spare no maner thyng,
Man nor woman, beeste nor child socoure,
But that his suerd sholde al quyk thyng deuoure.
But Saul wrouhte al in other wise,
Ech thyng reseruyng that was fair to siht;
And off entent to make a sacrefise,
Afftir his victorie he shoop hym anon riht,
Fattest beestis he ches, & hath hem diht
Toward the fir to maken his offryng,
And fro deth he spared Agag the kyng.
Ech thyng reseruyng that was fair to siht;
And off entent to make a sacrefise,
Afftir his victorie he shoop hym anon riht,
Fattest beestis he ches, & hath hem diht
Toward the fir to maken his offryng,
And fro deth he spared Agag the kyng.
He was repreued afftir of Samuel,
To Godis biddyng for he was contraire,
As abiect to regne in Israel,
That al good hope in hym gan disespaire;
His grace, his myht gan pallen & appaire,
His prophecie afftir hath hym failed,
And with a feend he was also trauailed.
To Godis biddyng for he was contraire,
As abiect to regne in Israel,
208
His grace, his myht gan pallen & appaire,
His prophecie afftir hath hym failed,
And with a feend he was also trauailed.
Thus from hir wheel Fortune cast hym doun,
Aualed hym from his roial see;
And God also took awey the crown,
Bothe from hym and his posterite,
And set up Dauid for his humilite.
Loo, how the Lord his doomys can deuyde
Tenhaunce meeknesse and tabate pryde!
Aualed hym from his roial see;
And God also took awey the crown,
Bothe from hym and his posterite,
And set up Dauid for his humilite.
Loo, how the Lord his doomys can deuyde
Tenhaunce meeknesse and tabate pryde!
Saul endured in his frenesie,
A wikked sperit so sore hym dede assaile;
Onto Dauid euer he hadde envie,
That he was hardi tentren in bataile,—
With a stafslynge, void off plate & maile,
Slouh Golias, withoute feer or dreed,
Pulled out his suerd[e] & smet off his hed.
A wikked sperit so sore hym dede assaile;
Onto Dauid euer he hadde envie,
That he was hardi tentren in bataile,—
With a stafslynge, void off plate & maile,
Slouh Golias, withoute feer or dreed,
Pulled out his suerd[e] & smet off his hed.
At ther repairyng hom out off the feeld,
Whan Dauid hadde slay[e]n this Golie,
Yonge maidnes whan [that] thei beheeld
The grete victory, thei in ther armonye
In laude off Dauid thus gan synge & crie:
“Saul hath slayn a thousand thoruh his myht,
Dauid ten thousand, the lusty yonge knyht!”
Whan Dauid hadde slay[e]n this Golie,
Yonge maidnes whan [that] thei beheeld
The grete victory, thei in ther armonye
In laude off Dauid thus gan synge & crie:
“Saul hath slayn a thousand thoruh his myht,
Dauid ten thousand, the lusty yonge knyht!”
Saul disdeyned and seide frowardli,
“Thei grauntid han a thousand to my name,
And to the sone heer off Ysai
Youe ten thousand to encrece his fame,
Which is to me a rebeuk and a shame.”
Wherupon this Saul, fret with ire,
Off yonge Dauid gan the deth conspire.
“Thei grauntid han a thousand to my name,
And to the sone heer off Ysai
Youe ten thousand to encrece his fame,
Which is to me a rebeuk and a shame.”
Wherupon this Saul, fret with ire,
Off yonge Dauid gan the deth conspire.
In his herte he hadde a fantasie
Off ther syngyng whan that he took heede,
Dempte it was a maner prophecie,
That Dauid sholde preferrid be in deede
And to the crowne afftir hym succeede.
Thouhte his childre, as he gan dyuyne,
Sholde be depryued off the roial lyne.
Off ther syngyng whan that he took heede,
Dempte it was a maner prophecie,
That Dauid sholde preferrid be in deede
And to the crowne afftir hym succeede.
Thouhte his childre, as he gan dyuyne,
Sholde be depryued off the roial lyne.
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Thus day be day Saul weies souhte
To sle[en] Dauid, pleynli yiff he myhte,
Al-be-it so that he no malice thouhte,
But euer kept hym lowli in his sihte.
Therfore good eure & grace on hym alihte;
For ay the Lord off his magnyficence
Ageyn tirantis preserueth innocence.
To sle[en] Dauid, pleynli yiff he myhte,
Al-be-it so that he no malice thouhte,
But euer kept hym lowli in his sihte.
Therfore good eure & grace on hym alihte;
For ay the Lord off his magnyficence
Ageyn tirantis preserueth innocence.
And as the Bible pleynli doth us lere,
This Dauid hadde in his tendre age
For his noblesse the kyngis douhter deere,
Callid Michol, ioyned be mariage.
And whan that Saul fill in any rage,
Dauid anon, tasswagen his woodnesse,
Touchid his harpe & brouht him in gladnesse.
This Dauid hadde in his tendre age
For his noblesse the kyngis douhter deere,
Callid Michol, ioyned be mariage.
And whan that Saul fill in any rage,
Dauid anon, tasswagen his woodnesse,
Touchid his harpe & brouht him in gladnesse.
Saul ful offte gan Dauid to enchace
And werreie thoruhout all his londis,
Thoruh desertis hym pursue & manace,
Off entent tashet hym up in bondis
Or taslaie hym, yiff he com in his hondis.
But fynali God thoruh his ordynaunce
Preserued his knyht from al maner myschaunce.
And werreie thoruhout all his londis,
Thoruh desertis hym pursue & manace,
Off entent tashet hym up in bondis
Or taslaie hym, yiff he com in his hondis.
But fynali God thoruh his ordynaunce
Preserued his knyht from al maner myschaunce.
Saul ful offte was brouht to myscheeff,
Yit ay fro deth[e] Dauid dede hym saue;
And heeroff this was a special preeff,
Whan Dauid kitte his garnement in the caue.
And mo toknys yiff ye list to haue,
Another tyme Dauid also kepte
The liff off Saul, whan he lay & slepte.
Yit ay fro deth[e] Dauid dede hym saue;
And heeroff this was a special preeff,
Whan Dauid kitte his garnement in the caue.
And mo toknys yiff ye list to haue,
Another tyme Dauid also kepte
The liff off Saul, whan he lay & slepte.
The cas was this: as thei lay hosteieng
Nat ferr assonder, and Saul lay and sleepe,
Al his peeple aboute[n] hym slepyng,
And onpurueied lik a flok off sheepe;
Off which[e] thyng Dauid took good keepe,
Doun descendid, and made no delay,
Cam to the tente wher kyng Saul lay.
Nat ferr assonder, and Saul lay and sleepe,
Al his peeple aboute[n] hym slepyng,
And onpurueied lik a flok off sheepe;
Off which[e] thyng Dauid took good keepe,
Doun descendid, and made no delay,
Cam to the tente wher kyng Saul lay.
The spere off Saul stondyng at his hed,
Dauid took it and wente his way anon;
Off his comyng ther was no man took heed,
For Saul slepte and his men echon.
And whan that he vp to the hill was gon,
Toward Saul ageyn he cast his look,
Made a noise that all his knyhtes wook.
Dauid took it and wente his way anon;
Off his comyng ther was no man took heed,
210
And whan that he vp to the hill was gon,
Toward Saul ageyn he cast his look,
Made a noise that all his knyhtes wook.
First to Abnor, prynce off his cheualrie,
Dauid seide these woordis in sentence:
“Abnor,” quod he, “thou hast doon gret folie,
This day shewed a gret necligence,
To suffre off Saul the magnyficence
In pereil stonde, and non heed [to] take,
Aboute his persone to make his knyhtis wake.
Dauid seide these woordis in sentence:
“Abnor,” quod he, “thou hast doon gret folie,
This day shewed a gret necligence,
To suffre off Saul the magnyficence
In pereil stonde, and non heed [to] take,
Aboute his persone to make his knyhtis wake.
Thou art to blame for thi reklesnesse,
To leue the kyng stonde in so gret a dreede,
In slep to haue mor sauour & suetnesse
Than off his liff [for] to taken heede.
Such necligence requereth for his meede
Deth and torment, be rihtful iuggement,
Aboute a prynce whan folk be necligent.
To leue the kyng stonde in so gret a dreede,
In slep to haue mor sauour & suetnesse
Than off his liff [for] to taken heede.
Such necligence requereth for his meede
Deth and torment, be rihtful iuggement,
Aboute a prynce whan folk be necligent.
And yiff thou list to seen an euidence,
How that his liff stood in iupartie,
See heer his spere, & yiff therto credence,
How onprouyded ye were on your partie,—
Saul nor thou, ye may it nat denye,
Your liff, your deth, your power, your puissaunce
This day God put hool in my gouernaunce.
How that his liff stood in iupartie,
See heer his spere, & yiff therto credence,
How onprouyded ye were on your partie,—
Saul nor thou, ye may it nat denye,
Your liff, your deth, your power, your puissaunce
This day God put hool in my gouernaunce.
But me taquiten off pur innocence,
As eueri man sholde onto his kyng,
And to declare in me was non offence
Ageyn his noblesse in will nor in werkyng,
As God weel wot, that knoweth euery thyng,
That I neuer be no conspiracie
Wrouhte nor compassid ageyn his regalie.”
As eueri man sholde onto his kyng,
And to declare in me was non offence
Ageyn his noblesse in will nor in werkyng,
As God weel wot, that knoweth euery thyng,
That I neuer be no conspiracie
Wrouhte nor compassid ageyn his regalie.”
Loo, heer exaumple off parfit pacience
Ageyn malice to shewe kynd[e]nesse!
Wher Saul shewed his mortal violence,
Dauid aquit hym with suffraunce & goodnesse,
The tirant venquysshid bi his prudent meeknesse.
Men ageyn trouthe may weel a werre gynne,
But at the eende the palme he doth ay wynne.
Ageyn malice to shewe kynd[e]nesse!
Wher Saul shewed his mortal violence,
Dauid aquit hym with suffraunce & goodnesse,
The tirant venquysshid bi his prudent meeknesse.
Men ageyn trouthe may weel a werre gynne,
But at the eende the palme he doth ay wynne.
211
For off this story yiff that ye take heed,
Saul is falle for his frowardnesse
Into myscheeff and into sodeyn dreed;
For Philistees, the Bible berth witnesse,
With a gret power gan ther wardis dresse
Vpon kyng Saul auenged for to be,
Ther tentis pihte beside Gelboe.
Saul is falle for his frowardnesse
Into myscheeff and into sodeyn dreed;
For Philistees, the Bible berth witnesse,
With a gret power gan ther wardis dresse
Vpon kyng Saul auenged for to be,
Ther tentis pihte beside Gelboe.
Wheroff kyng Saul, astonyd in his herte,
Hadde lost his sperit off knyhtli hardynesse,
And speciali whan he dede aduerte
Prophete was non his harmys to redresse,
Off futur thynges trouthe to expresse
In Israel, which cast hym in gret dreed,
Because that tyme Samuel was ded.
Hadde lost his sperit off knyhtli hardynesse,
And speciali whan he dede aduerte
Prophete was non his harmys to redresse,
Off futur thynges trouthe to expresse
In Israel, which cast hym in gret dreed,
Because that tyme Samuel was ded.
For Saul hadde cast out alle dyuynes
From Israel and ech dyuyneresse,
Nat-withstandyng [that] the Palestynes
Were rise ageyn, his power to oppresse;
And he ne knew no maner sorceresse
Off whom he myhte any counseil take,
And he off God that tyme was forsake.
From Israel and ech dyuyneresse,
Nat-withstandyng [that] the Palestynes
Were rise ageyn, his power to oppresse;
And he ne knew no maner sorceresse
Off whom he myhte any counseil take,
And he off God that tyme was forsake.
In this wise he stood disconsolat,
Counseil off God nor prophete kneuh he non,
But lik a man most infortunat,
Ongraciousli he spedde hym foorth anon,
And secreli this Saul is foorth gon
To a woman that sholde hym reede and wisse,
In Israel callid a phetonysse.
Counseil off God nor prophete kneuh he non,
But lik a man most infortunat,
Ongraciousli he spedde hym foorth anon,
And secreli this Saul is foorth gon
To a woman that sholde hym reede and wisse,
In Israel callid a phetonysse.
Which is a name, as clerkis writen all,
And office, who that takith heede,
Soulis off men ageyn to clepe & call—
I meene such[e] that toforn wer dede—
Which is a thyng straunge for to reede,
That any woman sholde, who list to lere,
Make soulis of dede men appeere.
And office, who that takith heede,
Soulis off men ageyn to clepe & call—
I meene such[e] that toforn wer dede—
Which is a thyng straunge for to reede,
That any woman sholde, who list to lere,
Make soulis of dede men appeere.
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Vnkouth & straunge is ther opynyoun,
And to my witt a maner inpossible,
Nat accordyng, me semeth, to resoun,
Nor lik a thyng which that is credible,
That a soule, off nature inuisible,
Mihte appeere or shewe visibly
Onto eyen which that be bodily.
And to my witt a maner inpossible,
Nat accordyng, me semeth, to resoun,
Nor lik a thyng which that is credible,
That a soule, off nature inuisible,
Mihte appeere or shewe visibly
Onto eyen which that be bodily.
But or that I any ferthere flitte,
List I were holde to presumptuous,
To dyuynys this mater I commytte
And wise clerkis that be vertuous,
In ther wittis subtil and corious
To conclude, as it doth hem seeme,
In this mater a trouthe for to deeme,
List I were holde to presumptuous,
To dyuynys this mater I commytte
And wise clerkis that be vertuous,
In ther wittis subtil and corious
To conclude, as it doth hem seeme,
In this mater a trouthe for to deeme,
Whethir it was the soule off Samuel,
Or other sperit, that she dede call,
Which that tolde the kyng off Israel
Off the bataile that sholde afftir fall,
His auenturis and his myscheuys all.
And off his deth he tolde also in deede,
And how Dauid sholde afftir hym succeede,
Or other sperit, that she dede call,
Which that tolde the kyng off Israel
Off the bataile that sholde afftir fall,
His auenturis and his myscheuys all.
And off his deth he tolde also in deede,
And how Dauid sholde afftir hym succeede,
Because onli off his disobeisaunce,
As it is write, and for his reclesnesse,
On Amalech for he took nat vengaunce.
Thus the sperit bar to hym witnesse.
Whereoff Saul fell in gret heuynesse,
Knowyng no mene tescape out off this doute,
But take his fortune as it cometh aboute.
As it is write, and for his reclesnesse,
On Amalech for he took nat vengaunce.
Thus the sperit bar to hym witnesse.
Whereoff Saul fell in gret heuynesse,
Knowyng no mene tescape out off this doute,
But take his fortune as it cometh aboute.
Tolde hym also his enmyes were so wroth,
The Philistees beside Gelboe,
In that bataile he and his childre both
Sholde deie that day, off necessite;
His cheualrie shal sconfited be,
Off his regne there is no lengere date,
For God from hym his kyngdam will translate.
The Philistees beside Gelboe,
In that bataile he and his childre both
Sholde deie that day, off necessite;
His cheualrie shal sconfited be,
Off his regne there is no lengere date,
For God from hym his kyngdam will translate.
And thus Saul retourned is agayn,
His meyne afftir brouht to disconfiture.
And whan he sauh al his peeple slayn,
And how ther was no mene to recure
In that dedli woful auenture,
He bad his squier take his suerd as blyue,
And thoruh the herte that he sholde hym ryue,
His meyne afftir brouht to disconfiture.
And whan he sauh al his peeple slayn,
And how ther was no mene to recure
In that dedli woful auenture,
213
And thoruh the herte that he sholde hym ryue,
That his enmyes, which were oncircumsised,
Sholde ha[ue] no power, in story it is founde,
To falle vpon hym as thei han deuised,
To yeuen hym his laste fatal wounde,
His hih noblesse at myscheeff to confounde.
But his squyer, for feer of God and dreed,
Wold nat assente to doon so foul a deed;
Sholde ha[ue] no power, in story it is founde,
To falle vpon hym as thei han deuised,
To yeuen hym his laste fatal wounde,
His hih noblesse at myscheeff to confounde.
But his squyer, for feer of God and dreed,
Wold nat assente to doon so foul a deed;
To slen his lord he gretli was afferd,
A thyng hatful in eueri manys siht.
But Saul took the pomel off his suerd,
And in the ground ful deepe anon it piht;
And in al hast possible that he myht,
Made the poynt, in his furious peyne,
To perce his herte & parte euene on tweyne.
A thyng hatful in eueri manys siht.
But Saul took the pomel off his suerd,
And in the ground ful deepe anon it piht;
And in al hast possible that he myht,
Made the poynt, in his furious peyne,
To perce his herte & parte euene on tweyne.
The Philistees, anon as he was ded,
Spoiled hym off his roial armure,
Dismembrid hym and smet off his hed,
And in tokne off ther disconfiture
Took the spoiles with al ther besi cure
And theroff made, in al ther beste entent,
To Astaroth off pride a gret present.
Spoiled hym off his roial armure,
Dismembrid hym and smet off his hed,
And in tokne off ther disconfiture
Took the spoiles with al ther besi cure
And theroff made, in al ther beste entent,
To Astaroth off pride a gret present.
Thus was Saul slay[e]n in sentence
Off Philistees vpon Gelboe,
Forsake off God for inobedience,
Abiect also doun from his roial see:
And thus for lakkyng off humylite,
Off God he was for euere set a-side.
Loo, heer the eende off surquedie & pride!
Off Philistees vpon Gelboe,
Forsake off God for inobedience,
Abiect also doun from his roial see:
And thus for lakkyng off humylite,
Off God he was for euere set a-side.
Loo, heer the eende off surquedie & pride!
Lenvoye.
Hath mynde on Saul, which to estat roiall
Fro louh degre was callid for meeknesse;
But presumpcioun made hym haue a fall,
Off God abiect for his frowardnesse,
Loste his crowne, the Bible berth witnesse.
And cause was, for his disobeisaunce;
To Godis biddyng he gaff non attendaunce.
Fro louh degre was callid for meeknesse;
But presumpcioun made hym haue a fall,
Off God abiect for his frowardnesse,
Loste his crowne, the Bible berth witnesse.
And cause was, for his disobeisaunce;
To Godis biddyng he gaff non attendaunce.
214
God nat axeth no mor off man att all
But hool[e] herte withoute doubilnesse,
For alle the gifftes, which in especiall
He gaff to man off his hih goodnesse;
But he chastisith al onkynd[e]nesse,
Such as be rebel for to do plesaunce,
And to his biddyng ne yeue non attendaunce.
But hool[e] herte withoute doubilnesse,
For alle the gifftes, which in especiall
He gaff to man off his hih goodnesse;
But he chastisith al onkynd[e]nesse,
Such as be rebel for to do plesaunce,
And to his biddyng ne yeue non attendaunce.
Noble Pryncis, vertu most pryncepall
You to conserue in your hih noblesse,
Is to enprente in your memoriall
Feith, equite, alle wrongis to redresse,
To susteene trouthe and rihtwisnesse,
And tofor God holdeth euenli the balaunce,
And to his biddyng yeueth hool your attendaunce.
You to conserue in your hih noblesse,
Is to enprente in your memoriall
Feith, equite, alle wrongis to redresse,
To susteene trouthe and rihtwisnesse,
And tofor God holdeth euenli the balaunce,
And to his biddyng yeueth hool your attendaunce.
The comendacion of Bochas oppon the vertu of obedience.
Vertu off vertues, most off excellence,
Which that hath most souereyn suffisaunce,
Is the vertu off trewe obedience,
Which set all thynge in rihtful gouernaunce:
For ne wer nat this prudent ordenaunce,
Summe tobeie and summe aboue to guie,
Destroied were al worldli policie.
Which that hath most souereyn suffisaunce,
Is the vertu off trewe obedience,
Which set all thynge in rihtful gouernaunce:
For ne wer nat this prudent ordenaunce,
Summe tobeie and summe aboue to guie,
Destroied were al worldli policie.
Where that vertu and hih discrecioun
Auoided han from hem al wilfulnesse,
Be title onli off domynacioun,
Trewli lyuyng vpon rihtwisnesse,
Wrong and errours iustli to redresse,
Off trouthe I may riht weel afferme & seie,
The peeple meekli ther biddyng sholde obeie.
Auoided han from hem al wilfulnesse,
Be title onli off domynacioun,
Trewli lyuyng vpon rihtwisnesse,
Wrong and errours iustli to redresse,
Off trouthe I may riht weel afferme & seie,
The peeple meekli ther biddyng sholde obeie.
This noble vertu off feithful obeisaunce,
Establisshid vpon humylite,
Which includith no double variaunce,
In all regeouns and in ech contre
Causeth weelfare, ioie and prosperite;
And as vertu, cheeff and souereyne,
Al vicious riot it pleynli doth restreyne.
Establisshid vpon humylite,
Which includith no double variaunce,
In all regeouns and in ech contre
Causeth weelfare, ioie and prosperite;
And as vertu, cheeff and souereyne,
Al vicious riot it pleynli doth restreyne.
215
Obedience eek, as men may see,
Falsnesse exilith and al rebellioun;
For bi atempraunce, riht and equite
Stant the weelfare off eueri regeoun:
For the meeknesse and low subieccioun
Off comountes halt up the regalies
Off lordshepes & off all monarchies.
Falsnesse exilith and al rebellioun;
For bi atempraunce, riht and equite
Stant the weelfare off eueri regeoun:
For the meeknesse and low subieccioun
Off comountes halt up the regalies
Off lordshepes & off all monarchies.
And, no doubte, whan lordshepes off entent
Besi been the souereyn Lord to queeme,
To ther subiectis do rihtful iugement,
In conscience as riht and resoun deeme,
Than shal ther crowne and [ther] diadeeme
Vpon ther hed perseuere & fresshli shyne,
And make subiectis to her biddyng enclyne.
Besi been the souereyn Lord to queeme,
To ther subiectis do rihtful iugement,
In conscience as riht and resoun deeme,
Than shal ther crowne and [ther] diadeeme
Vpon ther hed perseuere & fresshli shyne,
And make subiectis to her biddyng enclyne.
Thus obeisaunce pleynli at a woord,
In such as han lordshepe and souereynte,
Doon off entent to ther souereyn Lord,
Shal cause hem regne in long prosperite,
And ther subiectis off humylite,
For ther noble famous gouernaunce,
Ay to be redy vnder ther obeisaunce.
In such as han lordshepe and souereynte,
Doon off entent to ther souereyn Lord,
Shal cause hem regne in long prosperite,
And ther subiectis off humylite,
For ther noble famous gouernaunce,
Ay to be redy vnder ther obeisaunce.
For who that serueth the Lord off Lordis all,
And hath the peeple in his subieccioun,
God will keepe hym that he shal nat fall,
Longe preserue his domynacioun;
But ageynward, whan wisdam and resoun
Been ouermaistried with sensualite,
Farweel the floures off ther felicite!
And hath the peeple in his subieccioun,
God will keepe hym that he shal nat fall,
Longe preserue his domynacioun;
But ageynward, whan wisdam and resoun
Been ouermaistried with sensualite,
Farweel the floures off ther felicite!
Obedience bluntith the sharpnesse
Off cruel suerdis in tirantis hondis,
And meeknesse appesith the felnesse
Off hasti vengaunce, brekith atoo the bondis;
Eek pacience set quyete in londis:
And where these thre contune in comountes,
Long pes perseuereth in kyngdames & cites.
Off cruel suerdis in tirantis hondis,
And meeknesse appesith the felnesse
Off hasti vengaunce, brekith atoo the bondis;
Eek pacience set quyete in londis:
And where these thre contune in comountes,
Long pes perseuereth in kyngdames & cites.
Obedience doth also restreyne
Conspiracies and fals collusiouns;
Whan she stant onpartid, nat on tweyne,
There is no dreed off no discenciouns:
For she combyneth the trewe opynyouns
In peeplis hertis, ful weel aforn prouyded,
Vnder pryncis to stonde hool ondeuyded.
Conspiracies and fals collusiouns;
Whan she stant onpartid, nat on tweyne,
216
For she combyneth the trewe opynyouns
In peeplis hertis, ful weel aforn prouyded,
Vnder pryncis to stonde hool ondeuyded.
Wher pryncis be meek, humble & debonaire
Towardis God off hool affeccioun,
Ther subiectis be gladli nat contraire
In ther seruise be no rebellioun;
For ther is founde no deuysioun,
But hed & membris, ech for his partie,
Be so gouerned be prudent policie.
Towardis God off hool affeccioun,
Ther subiectis be gladli nat contraire
In ther seruise be no rebellioun;
For ther is founde no deuysioun,
But hed & membris, ech for his partie,
Be so gouerned be prudent policie.
Contrariousli Saul was put doun,
Abiect off God for his obstynacie,
Put from his sceptre, his crowne, his regeoun,
Off Israel loste al the monarchie,
For he list nat make off his alie,
Off frowardnesse and wilful necligence,
This noble vertu callid obedience.
Abiect off God for his obstynacie,
Put from his sceptre, his crowne, his regeoun,
Off Israel loste al the monarchie,
For he list nat make off his alie,
Off frowardnesse and wilful necligence,
This noble vertu callid obedience.
For as it longith in kyngdamys & citees,
Vnder a keye off on benyuolence,
Pryncis, kynges to gouerne [in] ther sees,
So apperteneth deu[e] reuerence
To ther subiectis bi obedience,
Tobeie ther lordis, as thei been off degre,
Be title off riht in eueri comounte.
Vnder a keye off on benyuolence,
Pryncis, kynges to gouerne [in] ther sees,
So apperteneth deu[e] reuerence
To ther subiectis bi obedience,
Tobeie ther lordis, as thei been off degre,
Be title off riht in eueri comounte.
For obeisaunce, iff it be discernyd
With Argus eyen, who that taketh heed,
As riht requereth is nat weel gouernyd,
Whan the membris presume ageyn the hed,
Off gouernaunce ther is no parfit speed;
From vnyte thei gon a froward weie,
Whan subiectis ther pryncis disobeie.
With Argus eyen, who that taketh heed,
As riht requereth is nat weel gouernyd,
Whan the membris presume ageyn the hed,
Off gouernaunce ther is no parfit speed;
From vnyte thei gon a froward weie,
Whan subiectis ther pryncis disobeie.
[How kyng Roboam for gevyng feith to yonge counsaile lost the beneuolence of his peple and deied a fool.]
Onto Iohn Bochas in ordre next ther cam,
With ful gret dool and lamentacioun,
The yonge kyng callid Roboam,
Sone and next heir to Salamoun,
Entryng be title off iust successioun,
Besouhte myn auctour to make off his folie
And off his fallyng a pitous tragedie.
With ful gret dool and lamentacioun,
The yonge kyng callid Roboam,
217
Entryng be title off iust successioun,
Besouhte myn auctour to make off his folie
And off his fallyng a pitous tragedie.
First whan he entred into his regeoun,
Twelue tribus gouernyng in deede,
Rewlid hymsilff be will and no resoun,
Kepte his subiectis pleynli, as I reede,
Nat vnder loue but vnder froward dreede;
Off olde wise, to his gret disauail,
He despised the doctryn and counsail.
Twelue tribus gouernyng in deede,
Rewlid hymsilff be will and no resoun,
Kepte his subiectis pleynli, as I reede,
Nat vnder loue but vnder froward dreede;
Off olde wise, to his gret disauail,
He despised the doctryn and counsail.
He demened, as it is weel kouth,
His sceptre, his crowne and his regalie
Be such folk as floured in her youth,
Coude off custum ther wittis weel applie
To bleende hym falsli with ther flat[e]rie,
Which is a stepmooder callid in substaunce
To al vertu and al good gouernaunce.
His sceptre, his crowne and his regalie
Be such folk as floured in her youth,
Coude off custum ther wittis weel applie
To bleende hym falsli with ther flat[e]rie,
Which is a stepmooder callid in substaunce
To al vertu and al good gouernaunce.
Alas, it is gret dool and gret pite,
That flat[e]rie sholde haue so gret fauour,
Which bleendith princis that they may nat see,
Mistith the eyen off eueri gouernour,
That thei can nat knowe her owne errour,
Fals hony shad ay on ther sentence.
A fool is he that yeueth to hem credence.
That flat[e]rie sholde haue so gret fauour,
Which bleendith princis that they may nat see,
Mistith the eyen off eueri gouernour,
That thei can nat knowe her owne errour,
Fals hony shad ay on ther sentence.
A fool is he that yeueth to hem credence.
Thei may be callid the deuelis taboureris,
With froward sownys eris to fulfille;
Or off Circes the pereilous boteleris,
Which galle and hony [togedir] doun distille,
Whos drynkes been bothe amerous & ille,
And, as clerkis weel deuise cunne,
Wers than the drynkes off Cirenes tunne.
With froward sownys eris to fulfille;
Or off Circes the pereilous boteleris,
Which galle and hony [togedir] doun distille,
Whos drynkes been bothe amerous & ille,
And, as clerkis weel deuise cunne,
Wers than the drynkes off Cirenes tunne.
Eris off pryncis ful weel thei can enoynte
With the soffte oile off adulacioun,
And ther termys most subtili appoynte,
Ech thyng concludyng with fals decepcioun,
Ay blandisshyng with amerous poisoun;
And fynali, as the poete seith,
Ther feith off custum concludith with onfeith.
With the soffte oile off adulacioun,
And ther termys most subtili appoynte,
Ech thyng concludyng with fals decepcioun,
Ay blandisshyng with amerous poisoun;
218
Ther feith off custum concludith with onfeith.
Flourying in woordis, thouh ther be no frut,
Double off herte, plesaunt off language,
Off trewe menyng void and destitut,
In mustryng outward pretende a fair visage:
Who trusteth hem fyndeth smal auauntage,
Be apparence & glorious fressh shewyng
Pryncis deceyuyng & many a worthi kyng.
Double off herte, plesaunt off language,
Off trewe menyng void and destitut,
In mustryng outward pretende a fair visage:
Who trusteth hem fyndeth smal auauntage,
Be apparence & glorious fressh shewyng
Pryncis deceyuyng & many a worthi kyng.
Roboam can bere ful weel witnesse,
From hym auoidyng folkis that were trewe,
How he was hyndred be flatrie & falsnesse
Be hem that coude forge out talis newe;
Whos counseil afftir sore dede hym rewe,
And with ther feyned fals suggestioun
Gretli abreggid his dominacioun.
From hym auoidyng folkis that were trewe,
How he was hyndred be flatrie & falsnesse
Be hem that coude forge out talis newe;
Whos counseil afftir sore dede hym rewe,
And with ther feyned fals suggestioun
Gretli abreggid his dominacioun.
He dempte hymsilff off more auctorite,
Off foli youthe and off presumpcioun,
Than was his fader in al his rialte.
And this pompous fals opynyoun
Cam into his conceit bi adulacioun;
For flatereris bar to hym witnesse,
How he excellid his fadres hih noblesse.
Off foli youthe and off presumpcioun,
Than was his fader in al his rialte.
And this pompous fals opynyoun
Cam into his conceit bi adulacioun;
For flatereris bar to hym witnesse,
How he excellid his fadres hih noblesse.
He dede gret rigour and oppressioun
Vpon his peeple, as it was weel preued;
And thei to fynde sum mytigacioun
In materis which that han hem greued,
Off ther tributis for to be releued,
Besouhte he wolde relece hem in ther neede:
But al for nouht; he took theroff non heede.
Vpon his peeple, as it was weel preued;
And thei to fynde sum mytigacioun
In materis which that han hem greued,
Off ther tributis for to be releued,
Besouhte he wolde relece hem in ther neede:
But al for nouht; he took theroff non heede.
Al old counsail from hym he sette a-side
And refusid ther doctryn and ther lore;
And be fals counsail off folkis ful off pride,
His poore liges he oppressid sore.
And ten kynredis anon, withoute more,
For tirannye and for mysgouernaunce
From hym withdrouh ther trouthe & legeaunce.
And refusid ther doctryn and ther lore;
And be fals counsail off folkis ful off pride,
His poore liges he oppressid sore.
And ten kynredis anon, withoute more,
For tirannye and for mysgouernaunce
From hym withdrouh ther trouthe & legeaunce.
219
Thus off the kyng conceyued the rigour,
The peeple anon off indignacioun
Stooned Adoram, which was collectour
Off the tributis in al his regeoun;
From hym departyng bi rebellioun.
Wheroff astonyd, tauenge his gret onriht,
Into Iherusalem took anon his fliht.
The peeple anon off indignacioun
Stooned Adoram, which was collectour
Off the tributis in al his regeoun;
From hym departyng bi rebellioun.
Wheroff astonyd, tauenge his gret onriht,
Into Iherusalem took anon his fliht.
And whan thei were partid from Roboam,
The ten kynredis be dyuysioun
Ches hem a kyng callid Ieroboam.
And Roboam, withynne his roial toun,
To been auengid on ther rebellioun
And for to doon on hem cruel iustise,
An hundred thousand he made anon tarise.
The ten kynredis be dyuysioun
Ches hem a kyng callid Ieroboam.
And Roboam, withynne his roial toun,
To been auengid on ther rebellioun
And for to doon on hem cruel iustise,
An hundred thousand he made anon tarise.
With Ieroboam he caste hym for to meete,
And al attonys sette in iupartie;
But Semeias the prophete bad hym lete,
And from the werre withdrawen his partie.
And mor the quarel for to iustefie,
Off his peeplis froward departyng,
It was Godis will doon for a pun[y]shyng.
And al attonys sette in iupartie;
But Semeias the prophete bad hym lete,
And from the werre withdrawen his partie.
And mor the quarel for to iustefie,
Off his peeplis froward departyng,
It was Godis will doon for a pun[y]shyng.
Touchyng the surplus off his gouernaunce,
His roial beeldyng off many fair cite,
His grete riche famous suffisaunce,
Off wyn and oile hauyng gret plente,
And how his empire encrecid yeres thre,
Eek how that tyme he rihtful was in deede,
In Josephus his story ye may reede.
His roial beeldyng off many fair cite,
His grete riche famous suffisaunce,
Off wyn and oile hauyng gret plente,
And how his empire encrecid yeres thre,
Eek how that tyme he rihtful was in deede,
In Josephus his story ye may reede.
Off his childre born in the riht[e] lyne,
Eihtene wyues, as maad is mencioun,
I fynde he hadde, and many concubyne,
Sonys and douhtris be procreacioun;
And how his richesse and gret pocessioun
That tyme encreced, as it is weel knowe,
To God a-boue whil that he bar hym lowe.
Eihtene wyues, as maad is mencioun,
I fynde he hadde, and many concubyne,
Sonys and douhtris be procreacioun;
And how his richesse and gret pocessioun
That tyme encreced, as it is weel knowe,
To God a-boue whil that he bar hym lowe.
But, as this auctour maketh rehersaile,
In his encres and augmentacioun,
Meeknesse off herte in hym gan waste & faile,
And pride entrid with fals presumpcioun,
Vertu dispisyng and al relegeoun;
Affter whos vices, as seith the same book,
Wikkid exaumple off hym the peeple took.
In his encres and augmentacioun,
Meeknesse off herte in hym gan waste & faile,
220
Vertu dispisyng and al relegeoun;
Affter whos vices, as seith the same book,
Wikkid exaumple off hym the peeple took.
Affter the maneres, wher thei be good or ille,
Vsid off pryncis in dyuers regeouns,
The peeple is redy to vsen and fulfille
Fulli the traces off ther condiciouns:
For lordis may in ther subiecciouns,
So as hem list, who-so can taken heede,
To vice or vertu ther subiectis leede.
Vsid off pryncis in dyuers regeouns,
The peeple is redy to vsen and fulfille
Fulli the traces off ther condiciouns:
For lordis may in ther subiecciouns,
So as hem list, who-so can taken heede,
To vice or vertu ther subiectis leede.
Thus Roboam for his transgressiouns,
In Iosephus as it is deuised,
And for his froward fals opynyouns,
Onli for he al vertu hath despised,
Off God he was rihtfully chastised:
In Ierusalem his cheeff roial toun
Off his enmyes besegid enviroun.
In Iosephus as it is deuised,
And for his froward fals opynyouns,
Onli for he al vertu hath despised,
Off God he was rihtfully chastised:
In Ierusalem his cheeff roial toun
Off his enmyes besegid enviroun.
The kyng off Egipt a sege aboute hym laide
With so gret peeple, that socour was ther non,
Al-be-it so that Roboam abraide
And preied God delyuere hym from his fon,
Tauoide off merci his enmies euerichon.
But God list nat to granten his praiere,
But hym chastised, lik as ye shal heere.
With so gret peeple, that socour was ther non,
Al-be-it so that Roboam abraide
And preied God delyuere hym from his fon,
Tauoide off merci his enmies euerichon.
But God list nat to granten his praiere,
But hym chastised, lik as ye shal heere.
First his cite and his noble toun
Delyuered was, he knew no bet socour,
Vnder a feyned fals composicioun;
For at ther entryng, void off al fauour,
Kepyng no couenant, took al the tresour,
Withynne the temple hauyng no pite,
But ladde it hom to Egipt ther contre.
Delyuered was, he knew no bet socour,
Vnder a feyned fals composicioun;
For at ther entryng, void off al fauour,
Kepyng no couenant, took al the tresour,
Withynne the temple hauyng no pite,
But ladde it hom to Egipt ther contre.
And to reherse, it is a gret[e] dool,
How Roboam, as Iosephus doth declare,
Was inli proud and therwithal a fool,
And off al wisdam destitut and bare,
Onmerciable his peeple for to spare,
Hatyng good counsail, and so in his folie
Regnyng a fool; and so I lete hym deie.
How Roboam, as Iosephus doth declare,
Was inli proud and therwithal a fool,
And off al wisdam destitut and bare,
Onmerciable his peeple for to spare,
Hatyng good counsail, and so in his folie
Regnyng a fool; and so I lete hym deie.
221
[Lenvoye.]
Philisophres concluden and deuise
In ther bookis off old experience,
That counseilour[e]s sad, expert & wise,
Trewe off ther woord, stable off ther sentence,
Hasti nor rakel for no violence,
Keepe & preserue, the trouthe I dar attame,
Noblesse off pryncis fro myscheeff & diffame.
In ther bookis off old experience,
That counseilour[e]s sad, expert & wise,
Trewe off ther woord, stable off ther sentence,
Hasti nor rakel for no violence,
Keepe & preserue, the trouthe I dar attame,
Noblesse off pryncis fro myscheeff & diffame.
Hasty youthe and rancour in contrari wise,
Which han to will[e] al ther aduertence,
Except hemsilff all othir men despise
Thoruh ther onbridled furious insolence,
Nothyng aqueyntid with wisdam nor prudence,
Brynge ageynward, wheroff thei be to blame,
Noblesse of princis in myscheff & diffame.
Which han to will[e] al ther aduertence,
Except hemsilff all othir men despise
Thoruh ther onbridled furious insolence,
Nothyng aqueyntid with wisdam nor prudence,
Brynge ageynward, wheroff thei be to blame,
Noblesse of princis in myscheff & diffame.
Kyng Roboam, ageyn riht and iustise,
To yonge foolis gaff feith & most credence,
Crueli his subiectis to chastise;
Which put his peeple from his benyuolence,
Drouh ten kynredis from his obedience,
Which was to hym, be record, ful gret shame,
Puttyng his noblesse in myscheff & diffame.
To yonge foolis gaff feith & most credence,
Crueli his subiectis to chastise;
Which put his peeple from his benyuolence,
Drouh ten kynredis from his obedience,
Which was to hym, be record, ful gret shame,
Puttyng his noblesse in myscheff & diffame.
Noble Pryncis, doth wisli aduertise,
In preseruyng off your magnyficence,
Off olde expert nat blent with couetise
Taketh your counseil and doth hem reuerence,
Eyed as Argus in ther hih prouidence,
Which conserue be report off good name
Noblesse off pryncis from myscheeff & diffame.
In preseruyng off your magnyficence,
Off olde expert nat blent with couetise
Taketh your counseil and doth hem reuerence,
Eyed as Argus in ther hih prouidence,
Which conserue be report off good name
Noblesse off pryncis from myscheeff & diffame.
[A Chapitle/descryuyng how prynces beyng hedis of ther comountees sholde haue noble cheualrie true Iuges &c ther commounte to gouerne &c.]
What ertheli thyng is mor deceyuable,
Than off pryncis the pompe & veynglorie,
Which weene [to] stonde in ther estatis stable,
As thei the world hadde conquered be victorie—
And sodenli be put out off memorie,
Ther fame cloudid, allas, and ther noblesse
With a dirk shadwe off foryetilnesse!
Than off pryncis the pompe & veynglorie,
222
As thei the world hadde conquered be victorie—
And sodenli be put out off memorie,
Ther fame cloudid, allas, and ther noblesse
With a dirk shadwe off foryetilnesse!
Wheroff kom[e]th the famous cleer shynyng
Off emperoures in ther consistories?—
Or wheroff komth ther laude in reportyng,
Sauff that clerkis han wreten ther histories?
Or where were now conquestis transitories,
Or ther tryumphes—wher sholde men hem fynde,
Ne had writeris ther prowesse put in mynde?
Off emperoures in ther consistories?—
Or wheroff komth ther laude in reportyng,
Sauff that clerkis han wreten ther histories?
Or where were now conquestis transitories,
Or ther tryumphes—wher sholde men hem fynde,
Ne had writeris ther prowesse put in mynde?
Rekne up all, and first the worthy nyne,
In hih noblesse which hadde neuer peeris:
Ther marcial actis, which cleerli dede shyne,
Ther fame vorn aboue the nyne speeris
With loude sownys off Famys clariouneris,
Ther glorious palmes, yiff thei be weel peised,
Be low labour off comouns was first reised.
In hih noblesse which hadde neuer peeris:
Ther marcial actis, which cleerli dede shyne,
Ther fame vorn aboue the nyne speeris
With loude sownys off Famys clariouneris,
Ther glorious palmes, yiff thei be weel peised,
Be low labour off comouns was first reised.
Mak a liknesse off thes gret ymages
Coriousli corue out be entaile,—
Hed, armys, bodi, and ther fressh visages,
Withoute feet or leggis may nat vaile
To stonde vpriht; for needis thei mut faile.
And semblabli subiectis in comountees
Reise up the noblesse off pryncis in ther sees.
Coriousli corue out be entaile,—
Hed, armys, bodi, and ther fressh visages,
Withoute feet or leggis may nat vaile
To stonde vpriht; for needis thei mut faile.
And semblabli subiectis in comountees
Reise up the noblesse off pryncis in ther sees.
As hed and membres in ymages been o ston,
Outher o stok, be cumpas ondeuyded,
And be proporcioun ther feturis euerichon
Set in trewe ordre, as Nature hath prouided,
So that all errours thoruh crafft be circumcided:
The hed set hiest be custom, as men knowe,
The bodi amyd, the feet benethe lowe.
Outher o stok, be cumpas ondeuyded,
And be proporcioun ther feturis euerichon
Set in trewe ordre, as Nature hath prouided,
So that all errours thoruh crafft be circumcided:
The hed set hiest be custom, as men knowe,
The bodi amyd, the feet benethe lowe.
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Mihti pryncis for ther hih renoun,
As most worthi shal ocupie the hed,
With wit, memorie and eyen off resoun
To keepe ther membris fro myscheeff & dreed,
Lik ther degrees take off hem good heed,
With cleer[e] forsiht off a prudent thouht
Ther feet preserue that thei erre nouht.
As most worthi shal ocupie the hed,
With wit, memorie and eyen off resoun
To keepe ther membris fro myscheeff & dreed,
Lik ther degrees take off hem good heed,
With cleer[e] forsiht off a prudent thouht
Ther feet preserue that thei erre nouht.
Ther mut been handis & armys off diffence,
Which shal this ymage manli keepe & guie
From alle assautis off foreyn violence,
Which shal be named noblesse off cheualrie—
Ther trewe office iustli to magnefie,
Sustene the chirch & make hemsiluen strong
To see that widwes nor maidnes ha[ue] no wrong.
Which shal this ymage manli keepe & guie
From alle assautis off foreyn violence,
Which shal be named noblesse off cheualrie—
Ther trewe office iustli to magnefie,
Sustene the chirch & make hemsiluen strong
To see that widwes nor maidnes ha[ue] no wrong.
Prudent iuges, as it is skele and riht,
To punshe wrong and surfetis to redresse,
In this ymage shal ocupie the siht:
For loue or hate, bi doom off rihtwisnesse,
For freend or fo his iugementis dresse,
So egali the lawes to susteene,
In ther werkis that noon errour be seene.
To punshe wrong and surfetis to redresse,
In this ymage shal ocupie the siht:
For loue or hate, bi doom off rihtwisnesse,
For freend or fo his iugementis dresse,
So egali the lawes to susteene,
In ther werkis that noon errour be seene.
Mid this ymage there is a bodi set,
An agregat off peeplis and degrees,
Be parfit pes and vnyte I-knet
Bi thestatis that gouerne comountees,—
As meires, prouostes & burgeis in citees,
Marchauntis also, which seeke sundri londis,
With othir crafftis which lyuen bi ther hondis.
An agregat off peeplis and degrees,
Be parfit pes and vnyte I-knet
Bi thestatis that gouerne comountees,—
As meires, prouostes & burgeis in citees,
Marchauntis also, which seeke sundri londis,
With othir crafftis which lyuen bi ther hondis.
And as a bodi which that stant in helthe
Feelith no greeff off no froward humours,
So eueri comoun contynueth in gret welthe,
Which is demened with prudent gouernours,
That can appese debatis and errours,
The peeple keepe from al contrauersie,
Causyng the[r] weelfare tencrece & multeplie.
Feelith no greeff off no froward humours,
So eueri comoun contynueth in gret welthe,
Which is demened with prudent gouernours,
That can appese debatis and errours,
The peeple keepe from al contrauersie,
Causyng the[r] weelfare tencrece & multeplie.
224
This bodi must haue a soule off liff
To quyke the membris with gostli mociouns,
Which shal be maad off folk contemplatiff,
The cherche committed to ther pocessiouns,
Which bi ther hooli conuersaciouns
And good exaumple[s] sholde as sterris shyne,
Be grace and vertu the peeple [t]enlumyne.
To quyke the membris with gostli mociouns,
Which shal be maad off folk contemplatiff,
The cherche committed to ther pocessiouns,
Which bi ther hooli conuersaciouns
And good exaumple[s] sholde as sterris shyne,
Be grace and vertu the peeple [t]enlumyne.
Vpon the liht off ther condiciouns,
Off this bodi dependith the weelfare;
For in ther techyng and predicaciouns
Thei sholde trouthe to hih & low declare,
And in ther office for no dreed ne spare
Vices correcte, lich as thei ar holde,
Sithe thei been heerdis off Cristes folde.
Off this bodi dependith the weelfare;
For in ther techyng and predicaciouns
Thei sholde trouthe to hih & low declare,
And in ther office for no dreed ne spare
Vices correcte, lich as thei ar holde,
Sithe thei been heerdis off Cristes folde.
Folwyng vpon, off entent ful cleene,
Laboreris, as ye han herd deuised,
Shal this bodi bern up and susteene
As feet and leggis, which may nat be despised;
For trewe labour is iustli auctorised,
And ner the plouh vpholden be trauaile,
Off kynges, pryncis farweel al gouernaile.
Laboreris, as ye han herd deuised,
Shal this bodi bern up and susteene
As feet and leggis, which may nat be despised;
For trewe labour is iustli auctorised,
And ner the plouh vpholden be trauaile,
Off kynges, pryncis farweel al gouernaile.
Thus first yiff pryncis gouerned been be riht,
And knyhthod suffre the peeple to ha[ue] no wrong,
And trouthe in iuges shewe out his cleer liht,
And feith in cites with loue be drawe a-long,
And hooli cherche in vertu be maad strong,
And in his labour the plouh ne feyne nouht,—
Thanne be proporcioun this ymage is weel wrouht.
And knyhthod suffre the peeple to ha[ue] no wrong,
And trouthe in iuges shewe out his cleer liht,
And feith in cites with loue be drawe a-long,
And hooli cherche in vertu be maad strong,
And in his labour the plouh ne feyne nouht,—
Thanne be proporcioun this ymage is weel wrouht.
This mateer hool for texemplefie,
Kyng Roboam for fals oppressioun
And for his wilful froward tirannye
Loste a gret parti off his regeoun;
Wherfore, let pryncis considren off resoun,
God sette the peeple for lordis auauntage,
And nat to been oppressid with seruage.
Kyng Roboam for fals oppressioun
And for his wilful froward tirannye
Loste a gret parti off his regeoun;
Wherfore, let pryncis considren off resoun,
God sette the peeple for lordis auauntage,
And nat to been oppressid with seruage.
225
Vpon summe pryncis Bochas doth compleyne,
Such as haue a custum and maneer
Ageyn ther subiectis ongoodli to disdeyne,
And off pride to shewe hem froward cheer;
Counseileth hem to remembre & ler,
As this chapitle doth fynali deuise,
First out off labour al lordshepe dede arise.
Such as haue a custum and maneer
Ageyn ther subiectis ongoodli to disdeyne,
And off pride to shewe hem froward cheer;
Counseileth hem to remembre & ler,
As this chapitle doth fynali deuise,
First out off labour al lordshepe dede arise.
[How Mucyus Sceuola slouh an Innocent in stede of Kyng Porcenna that leide siege to Rome.]
Whan kyng Porcenna with his cheualrie
Ageyn Romeyns a werre first began,
The toun besegyng vpon ech partie
With gret puissaunce brouht out off Tuskan,
In the cite ther was a knyhtli man,
Mucius Sceuola, which caste in ther distresse
To breke the siege thoruh his hih prowesse.
Ageyn Romeyns a werre first began,
The toun besegyng vpon ech partie
With gret puissaunce brouht out off Tuskan,
In the cite ther was a knyhtli man,
Mucius Sceuola, which caste in ther distresse
To breke the siege thoruh his hih prowesse.
Leet arme hymsilff[e] cleene in plate & maile,
For comoun profit, tauauncen his corage
Kyng Porcenna proudli to assaile;
A tyme prouyded to his auauntage,
Thoruh the siege to maken his passage,
And fynali at his in-comyng
Iuparte his persone for to sle the kyng.
For comoun profit, tauauncen his corage
Kyng Porcenna proudli to assaile;
A tyme prouyded to his auauntage,
Thoruh the siege to maken his passage,
And fynali at his in-comyng
Iuparte his persone for to sle the kyng.
But lik as tellith Titus Lyuyus,
Wher Porcenna sat in his roial see,
This senatour, this manli Mucius,
Sauh a prynce off gret auctorite,
The kyng rasemblyng, clad [both] in o lyuere,
Atween discernyng no maner variaunce;
Slouh that prynce off veray ignoraunce.
Wher Porcenna sat in his roial see,
This senatour, this manli Mucius,
Sauh a prynce off gret auctorite,
The kyng rasemblyng, clad [both] in o lyuere,
Atween discernyng no maner variaunce;
Slouh that prynce off veray ignoraunce.
But whan he knew[e] that he dede faile
To slen Porcenna, enmy to the toun,
And sauh he hadde lost al his trauaile,
He made a pitous lamentacioun,
Because he dede execucioun
Off ignoraunce, ageyn his owne entent,
To spare a tirant and slen an innocent.
To slen Porcenna, enmy to the toun,
And sauh he hadde lost al his trauaile,
He made a pitous lamentacioun,
Because he dede execucioun
Off ignoraunce, ageyn his owne entent,
To spare a tirant and slen an innocent.
226
For which he was with hymsilff ful wroth,
That he was founde so necligent in deede,
And with his hand onto a fir he goth,
Made it brenne briht as any gleede,
Bothe nerff & bon and his flessh to sheede,
His hand consumyng on pecis heer & yonder,
And from his arm made it parte assonder.
That he was founde so necligent in deede,
And with his hand onto a fir he goth,
Made it brenne briht as any gleede,
Bothe nerff & bon and his flessh to sheede,
His hand consumyng on pecis heer & yonder,
And from his arm made it parte assonder.
And as the story declareth onto vs,
This manli man, this noble senatour,
Afor tyme was callid Mucius,
Which for the comoun dede many gret labour;
And for the vnkouth hasti fell rigour
Doon [vn]to hymsilff, the Romeyns all,
Sceuola thei dede hym afftir call.
This manli man, this noble senatour,
Afor tyme was callid Mucius,
Which for the comoun dede many gret labour;
And for the vnkouth hasti fell rigour
Doon [vn]to hymsilff, the Romeyns all,
Sceuola thei dede hym afftir call.
As moche to seyne be language off that lond—
Who take ariht the exposicioun—
As a man which is withoute an hond.
And afftir hym bi successioun
Al his offspryng, that wer bor in the toun,
In remembraunce for tencrece his fame,
Off Sceuola bar afftir hym the name.
Who take ariht the exposicioun—
As a man which is withoute an hond.
And afftir hym bi successioun
Al his offspryng, that wer bor in the toun,
In remembraunce for tencrece his fame,
Off Sceuola bar afftir hym the name.
Be this exaumple and many a-nother mo,
Yiff men list her corages to awake,
Thei sholde seen what pereil & what wo
For comoun profit men haue vndirtake,
As whilom Brutus for Lucrecis sake
Chaced Tarquyn for his transgressioun
And kynges alle out off Rome toun.
Yiff men list her corages to awake,
Thei sholde seen what pereil & what wo
For comoun profit men haue vndirtake,
As whilom Brutus for Lucrecis sake
Chaced Tarquyn for his transgressioun
And kynges alle out off Rome toun.
Touchyng Lucrece, exaumple off wifli trouthe,
How yonge Tarquyn hir falsli dede oppresse,
And afftir that, which was to gret a routhe,
How she hirsilff[e] slouh for heuynesse,
It nedith nat rehersyn the processe,
Sithe that Chaucer, cheeff poete off Bretayne,
Wrot off hir liff a legende souerayne.
How yonge Tarquyn hir falsli dede oppresse,
And afftir that, which was to gret a routhe,
How she hirsilff[e] slouh for heuynesse,
It nedith nat rehersyn the processe,
Sithe that Chaucer, cheeff poete off Bretayne,
Wrot off hir liff a legende souerayne.
Rehersyng ther among[es] other thynges
Ech circumstaunce and ech occasioun:
Whi Romeyns exilid first ther kynges,
Neuer to regnen afftir in ther toun,
As olde cronycles make mencioun,
Remembryng also thunkyndli gret outrage
Bi Eneas doon to Dido off Cartage.
Ech circumstaunce and ech occasioun:
Whi Romeyns exilid first ther kynges,
227
As olde cronycles make mencioun,
Remembryng also thunkyndli gret outrage
Bi Eneas doon to Dido off Cartage.
Eek othir stories which he wrot his lyue
Ful notabli with eueri circumstaunce,
And ther fatis dede pitousli descryue,
Lik as thei fill put hem in remembraunce,
Wherfore yiff I sholde my penne auaunce,
Afftir his makyng to putte hem in memorie,
Men wolde deeme it presumpcioun & veynglorie.
Ful notabli with eueri circumstaunce,
And ther fatis dede pitousli descryue,
Lik as thei fill put hem in remembraunce,
Wherfore yiff I sholde my penne auaunce,
Afftir his makyng to putte hem in memorie,
Men wolde deeme it presumpcioun & veynglorie.
For as a sterre in presence off the sunne
Lesith his fresshnesse and his cleer[e] liht,
So my reudnesse vnder skies dunne
Dareth ful lowe and hath lost his siht,
To be compared ageyn the bemys briht
Off this poete; wherfore it were but veyn
Thyng seid be hym to write it newe ageyn.
Lesith his fresshnesse and his cleer[e] liht,
So my reudnesse vnder skies dunne
Dareth ful lowe and hath lost his siht,
To be compared ageyn the bemys briht
Off this poete; wherfore it were but veyn
Thyng seid be hym to write it newe ageyn.
[How Lucrece/oppressid bi Tarquin slouh hirsilf.]
But at Lucrece stynte I will a while,
It were pite hir story for to hide,
Or slouthe the penne of my reud[e] stile,
But for hir sake alle materis set a-side.
Also my lord bad I sholde abide,
By good auys at leiser to translate
The doolful processe off hir pitous fate.
It were pite hir story for to hide,
Or slouthe the penne of my reud[e] stile,
But for hir sake alle materis set a-side.
Also my lord bad I sholde abide,
By good auys at leiser to translate
The doolful processe off hir pitous fate.
Folwyng the tracis off Collucyus,
Which wrot off hir a declamacioun
Most lamentable, most doolful, most pitous,
Wher he descryueth the dolerous tresoun
Off hir constreyned fals oppressioun,
Wrouht & compassid bi vnwar violence,
The liht ontroublid off hir cleer conscience.
Which wrot off hir a declamacioun
Most lamentable, most doolful, most pitous,
Wher he descryueth the dolerous tresoun
Off hir constreyned fals oppressioun,
Wrouht & compassid bi vnwar violence,
The liht ontroublid off hir cleer conscience.
228
Hir fader whilom callid Spurius,
Hir worthi husbonde named Collatyn,
Which bi the luxure & tresoun odious
And vicious outrage of Sextus, proud Tarquin,
Oppressid was & brouht onto hir fyn.
Whos dedli sorwe in Inglissh for to make,
Off pitous routhe my penne I feele quake.
Hir worthi husbonde named Collatyn,
Which bi the luxure & tresoun odious
And vicious outrage of Sextus, proud Tarquin,
Oppressid was & brouht onto hir fyn.
Whos dedli sorwe in Inglissh for to make,
Off pitous routhe my penne I feele quake.
This said Tarquyn, this euel auised knyht,
This sclaundrid man, most hatful for his deede,
Cam lich a theeff, alas, vpon a nyht
With naked suerd, whan no man took non heede,
Vpon Lucrece, she quakyng in hir dreede,
Liggyng abedde ferr from hir folkes all,
And knew no refuge for helpe for to call.
This sclaundrid man, most hatful for his deede,
Cam lich a theeff, alas, vpon a nyht
With naked suerd, whan no man took non heede,
Vpon Lucrece, she quakyng in hir dreede,
Liggyng abedde ferr from hir folkes all,
And knew no refuge for helpe for to call.
He manacyng in his froward entent,
On hir beholdyng with a furious cheer,
That with his suerd[e], but she wolde assent,
Hire and a boy he wolde prente ifeer,
Such on as was most ougli off maner,
Most onlikli off persone and off fame:
Thus he hir thratte for to sclaundre hir name.
On hir beholdyng with a furious cheer,
That with his suerd[e], but she wolde assent,
Hire and a boy he wolde prente ifeer,
Such on as was most ougli off maner,
Most onlikli off persone and off fame:
Thus he hir thratte for to sclaundre hir name.
But his entent[e] whan she dede feele,
And sauh no mene ageyn hir woful chaunce,
The morwen afftir she list nothyng concele,
Tolde hir husbonde hooli the gouernaunce,
Hym requeryng for to do vengaunce
Vpon this crym, saide lik a trewe wiff,
She wolde hir herte percen with a knyff.
And sauh no mene ageyn hir woful chaunce,
The morwen afftir she list nothyng concele,
Tolde hir husbonde hooli the gouernaunce,
Hym requeryng for to do vengaunce
Vpon this crym, saide lik a trewe wiff,
She wolde hir herte percen with a knyff.
In this mater this was hir fantasie:
Bet was to deie than to lyue in shame,
And lasse wikke, to putte in iupartie
Hir mortal bodi than hir good[e] fame.
Whan honour deieth, farweel a manys name!
Bet it were out off this liff disseuere,
Than sclaundrous fame to slen a man for euere.
Bet was to deie than to lyue in shame,
And lasse wikke, to putte in iupartie
Hir mortal bodi than hir good[e] fame.
Whan honour deieth, farweel a manys name!
Bet it were out off this liff disseuere,
Than sclaundrous fame to slen a man for euere.
229
But to that purpos hir husbonde seide nay,
Hir fader also was therto contrarie,
Makyng a promys, withoute mor delay,
To do vengaunce how thei wil nat tarie.
To hir declaryng with resouns debonarie,
Vnder these woordis trouthe & riht conserued,
To slen hirsilff she hath nothyng disserued:
Hir fader also was therto contrarie,
Makyng a promys, withoute mor delay,
To do vengaunce how thei wil nat tarie.
To hir declaryng with resouns debonarie,
Vnder these woordis trouthe & riht conserued,
To slen hirsilff she hath nothyng disserued:
[“My dere Lucrece, tempeste the nat at al,
We knowe thy menyng and thy clene entent,
Thy vertu prevyd in especial,
Which yevith to vs a ful pleyn argument,
Vn-to thavoutour thow gaff nevir assent,
And for a more singuleer evydence,
Cryest euere to punysshe his greet offence.
We knowe thy menyng and thy clene entent,
Thy vertu prevyd in especial,
Which yevith to vs a ful pleyn argument,
Vn-to thavoutour thow gaff nevir assent,
And for a more singuleer evydence,
Cryest euere to punysshe his greet offence.
Lyst nat cese, but euere theron abydest,
And al counfort doost fro thy-sylff refuse;
Thyng that was secre, in covert thow nat hydest,
But rygerously thavoutour doost accuse,
Wheer expert vertu thy renoun doth excuse.
Thy wyffly trouthe can bern also witnesse
By cleer repoort to vs of thy clennesse.
And al counfort doost fro thy-sylff refuse;
Thyng that was secre, in covert thow nat hydest,
But rygerously thavoutour doost accuse,
Wheer expert vertu thy renoun doth excuse.
Thy wyffly trouthe can bern also witnesse
By cleer repoort to vs of thy clennesse.
For in the eyen of folkys ferre and neer,
The glorye and honour of wyffly chastite
Hath to this day with bryghte beemys cleer
In thy persone enlvmyned this cyte.
For bothe in opyn and also in secre
The fame hath flouryd of thy chaast[e] name,
Fre fro thatwytyng of ony spot of blame.
The glorye and honour of wyffly chastite
Hath to this day with bryghte beemys cleer
In thy persone enlvmyned this cyte.
For bothe in opyn and also in secre
The fame hath flouryd of thy chaast[e] name,
Fre fro thatwytyng of ony spot of blame.
We can our-sylff recordyn and expresse,
How thy delyght and thyn hertly plesaunce
Was to worshepe wyffly sobirnesse,
And to werreye al chaunge and varyaunce,
Lyk a lanterne set vp of constaunce,
Or lyk a merour, in euery mannys syght,
Off good exaumple to yive al othir lyght.
How thy delyght and thyn hertly plesaunce
Was to worshepe wyffly sobirnesse,
And to werreye al chaunge and varyaunce,
Lyk a lanterne set vp of constaunce,
Or lyk a merour, in euery mannys syght,
Off good exaumple to yive al othir lyght.
230
My trewe Lucrece, hastow nat in mynde,
Nat yoore agoon, in verray sekirnesse,
How thavoutour and I the did[e] fynde
Amyd thy women in vertuous besynesse
Occupyed,—a tokne of stedfastnesse,
Therby concludyng of trouthe and of resoun,
Modir of vertu is occupacyoun.
Nat yoore agoon, in verray sekirnesse,
How thavoutour and I the did[e] fynde
Amyd thy women in vertuous besynesse
Occupyed,—a tokne of stedfastnesse,
Therby concludyng of trouthe and of resoun,
Modir of vertu is occupacyoun.
I fond the thanne, as I haue do ful offte,
Among thy maydenys besily sittyng,
To make hem werke vpon wollys soffte,
In ther werkyng hem womanly cherysshyng.
On vicious lust ful smal was thy thynkyng;
Wherfore, thow shuldyst of resoun advertyse,
Tatempre thy dool in more tendir wyse:]
Among thy maydenys besily sittyng,
To make hem werke vpon wollys soffte,
In ther werkyng hem womanly cherysshyng.
On vicious lust ful smal was thy thynkyng;
Wherfore, thow shuldyst of resoun advertyse,
Tatempre thy dool in more tendir wyse:]
For sodenli and also onauised,
As a foul is trappid in a snare,
Be onwar fraude vpon the practised,
Thou were deceyued, pleynli to declare,
Hauyng this conceit, hard is to repare
The name off hem which falsli be diffamed,
Whan wrong report the[r] hih renoun hath shamed.
As a foul is trappid in a snare,
Be onwar fraude vpon the practised,
Thou were deceyued, pleynli to declare,
Hauyng this conceit, hard is to repare
The name off hem which falsli be diffamed,
Whan wrong report the[r] hih renoun hath shamed.
Touchyng thi persone, I dar afferme & seyn,
That it were a maner inpossible,
And lik a thyng which neuer yit was seyn,
That thi worshepe was founde coruptible,
But stedfast ay and indyuysible,
Ondepartid in vertu and maad strong,
And now desirous tauenge thi pitous wrong.
That it were a maner inpossible,
And lik a thyng which neuer yit was seyn,
That thi worshepe was founde coruptible,
But stedfast ay and indyuysible,
Ondepartid in vertu and maad strong,
And now desirous tauenge thi pitous wrong.
On thyn iniurie we shal auengid be,
Considred first the dedli heuynesse
Which thou suffredist bi gret aduersite,
Whan thauoutour thi beute dede oppresse,
And reioishyng bi a fals gladnesse,
Maugre thi will[e], as a theeff be nyht
The encoumbred off veray force & myht.
Considred first the dedli heuynesse
Which thou suffredist bi gret aduersite,
Whan thauoutour thi beute dede oppresse,
And reioishyng bi a fals gladnesse,
Maugre thi will[e], as a theeff be nyht
The encoumbred off veray force & myht.
231
But yiff thou woldist leue al thi moornyng
And restreyne thyn inportable wo,
Thou sholdist seen so egal a punshyng
Vpon thi moste froward mortal fo,
To warne alle othre, thei shal no mor do so,
In chastisyng off fals auoutrie,
The and thi renoun off riht to magnefie.
And restreyne thyn inportable wo,
Thou sholdist seen so egal a punshyng
Vpon thi moste froward mortal fo,
To warne alle othre, thei shal no mor do so,
In chastisyng off fals auoutrie,
The and thi renoun off riht to magnefie.
What was diffacyng to thi trewe entent,
Thouh his youthe onbridled wente at large,
So for tafforce a celi innocent?
Whos wikkednesse ouhte to bere the charge,
And we off riht thi conscience discharge.
The ioie onleefful off his fals plesaunce,
With double palme thyn honour doth auaunce.
Thouh his youthe onbridled wente at large,
So for tafforce a celi innocent?
Whos wikkednesse ouhte to bere the charge,
And we off riht thi conscience discharge.
The ioie onleefful off his fals plesaunce,
With double palme thyn honour doth auaunce.
Conceyue and see, o thou my Lucrece,
How that resoun and good discrecioun
Sholde thi trouble & thi mournyng cese,
Off riht restreyne thyn opynyoun,
So reklesli to do punycioun,
With knyf on honde to slen thisilff, alas!
For othres gilt, and dedist no trespas.
How that resoun and good discrecioun
Sholde thi trouble & thi mournyng cese,
Off riht restreyne thyn opynyoun,
So reklesli to do punycioun,
With knyf on honde to slen thisilff, alas!
For othres gilt, and dedist no trespas.
Lat be, Lucrece, lat been al thi dool,
Cese thi compleynt & thi wo restreyne.
Sholde I fro the lyue alone al sool,
And thi deth perpetueli compleyne?
To putte thi fader in inportable peyne,—
Off our weelfare be nat so rek[e]les,
To deie and leue our childre moodirles.
Cese thi compleynt & thi wo restreyne.
Sholde I fro the lyue alone al sool,
And thi deth perpetueli compleyne?
To putte thi fader in inportable peyne,—
Off our weelfare be nat so rek[e]les,
To deie and leue our childre moodirles.
Off prudence eek thou ouhtest for to see
And aduertise onli off resoun,
Thouh off force thi bodi corupt be,
Thi soule inward and thyn entencioun
Fraunchised been from al corupcioun.
Offens is noon, considre in thyn entent,
But will and herte yiue therto ful consent.
And aduertise onli off resoun,
Thouh off force thi bodi corupt be,
Thi soule inward and thyn entencioun
Fraunchised been from al corupcioun.
Offens is noon, considre in thyn entent,
But will and herte yiue therto ful consent.
Thou were nakid in thi bed liggyng,
Alone, onwar, slepyng and void off myht,
Suspeciounles al off his comyng,
That tyme namli, because that it was nyht.
A feerful woman, and he an hardi knyht,
Al-be-it so onknyhtli was his deede,
With nakid suerd tassaile thi womanheede.
Alone, onwar, slepyng and void off myht,
Suspeciounles al off his comyng,
232
A feerful woman, and he an hardi knyht,
Al-be-it so onknyhtli was his deede,
With nakid suerd tassaile thi womanheede.
He myhte thi bodi be force weel oppresse
Be sleihti weies that he hadde souht;
But weel wot I, for al his sturdynesse,
He myhte neuer ha[ue] maistri off thi thouht.
The bodi yolde, the herte yald hym nouht.
Ye wer[en] tweyne, thou feeble & he riht strong,
Thi trouthe afforced, he werkere off the wrong.
Be sleihti weies that he hadde souht;
But weel wot I, for al his sturdynesse,
He myhte neuer ha[ue] maistri off thi thouht.
The bodi yolde, the herte yald hym nouht.
Ye wer[en] tweyne, thou feeble & he riht strong,
Thi trouthe afforced, he werkere off the wrong.
Where myhtistou ha[ue] grettere price or laude,
Al riht considred, trouthe and equite:
First countirpeised his force & sleihti fraude,
Thanne to perseuere in femynyte
With thouht onchaungid, & in fragilite
Off womanheed to haue an herte stable,—
What thyng in the myht be mor comendable?
Al riht considred, trouthe and equite:
First countirpeised his force & sleihti fraude,
Thanne to perseuere in femynyte
With thouht onchaungid, & in fragilite
Off womanheed to haue an herte stable,—
What thyng in the myht be mor comendable?
It is weel knowe thou were off herte ay oon,
To all fals lustis contraire in gouernaunce,
Mor lik an ymage korue out off a ston,
Than lik a woman flesshli off plesaunce
The tirant fond the in cheer & contenaunce,
Which euer afftir be womanli victorie
Shal be ascryued to thyn encres off glorie.
To all fals lustis contraire in gouernaunce,
Mor lik an ymage korue out off a ston,
Than lik a woman flesshli off plesaunce
The tirant fond the in cheer & contenaunce,
Which euer afftir be womanli victorie
Shal be ascryued to thyn encres off glorie.
Thi fadir Brutus hath the weel excusid,
Misilff also, thi blood & thi kynreede,—
On this mater lat no mor be musid.
To sle thisilff or do thi sidis bleede,
Certis, Lucrece, thou hast ful litil neede;
It were gret wrong be al our iugement
To spare a tirant and slen an innocent.
Misilff also, thi blood & thi kynreede,—
On this mater lat no mor be musid.
To sle thisilff or do thi sidis bleede,
Certis, Lucrece, thou hast ful litil neede;
It were gret wrong be al our iugement
To spare a tirant and slen an innocent.
Thi-silff to moordre, to summe it wolde seeme
Thou were gilti, wher-as thou art cleene.
Dyuers wittis dyuersli wolde deeme,
Reporte thyng thou neuer dedist meene.
For which thou shalt pacientli susteene,
Till thi chast[e] wiffli innocence
May seen hym punshed for his violence.
Thou were gilti, wher-as thou art cleene.
Dyuers wittis dyuersli wolde deeme,
Reporte thyng thou neuer dedist meene.
For which thou shalt pacientli susteene,
233
May seen hym punshed for his violence.
Folk wil nat deeme a persone innocent,
Which wilfulli, whan he is nat coupable,
Yildith hymselff to deth be iugement,
And neuer afforn was off no gilt partable.
His owne doom, vpon hymsilff vengable,
Causeth the peeple, thouh ther report be nouht,
To deeme a thyng that neuer was doon nor thouht.
Which wilfulli, whan he is nat coupable,
Yildith hymselff to deth be iugement,
And neuer afforn was off no gilt partable.
His owne doom, vpon hymsilff vengable,
Causeth the peeple, thouh ther report be nouht,
To deeme a thyng that neuer was doon nor thouht.
To been auengid vpon thyn owne liff,
In excusyng off thi dedli diffame,
To shewe thou art a trewe parfit wiff,
Wenyng be deth to gete the a name,—
In this deuys thou art gretli to blame,
Wher thou yit knowest thyn honour cleerli shyne,
To yiue the peeple mater to deuyne.”
In excusyng off thi dedli diffame,
To shewe thou art a trewe parfit wiff,
Wenyng be deth to gete the a name,—
In this deuys thou art gretli to blame,
Wher thou yit knowest thyn honour cleerli shyne,
To yiue the peeple mater to deuyne.”
And with that woord Lucrece dede abraide,
Ful dedli pale bothe off look and cheer,
To them ageyn, euene thus she saide:
“Lat be, husbonde, lat be, my fader deer,
Spekith no mor to me off this mateer,
List men dempte, in hyndryng off my name,
I dradde deth mor than fals diffame.
Ful dedli pale bothe off look and cheer,
To them ageyn, euene thus she saide:
“Lat be, husbonde, lat be, my fader deer,
Spekith no mor to me off this mateer,
List men dempte, in hyndryng off my name,
I dradde deth mor than fals diffame.
Your counsail is, I shal my liff conserue
To sorwe and sclaundre, but to no gladnesse;
But lasse wikke is at an hour to sterue
Than euer langwisshe in sorwe & heuynesse.
Deth maketh an eende off al worldli distresse;
And it was said sithe[n] ful yore ago,
Bet is to deie than euer to lyue in wo.
To sorwe and sclaundre, but to no gladnesse;
But lasse wikke is at an hour to sterue
Than euer langwisshe in sorwe & heuynesse.
Deth maketh an eende off al worldli distresse;
And it was said sithe[n] ful yore ago,
Bet is to deie than euer to lyue in wo.
Whan that worshepe in any creature
Is slayn and ded be sclaund[e]rous report,
Bet is off deth the dreedful peyne endure,
Than be fals noise ay luye in disconfort,
Wher newe & newe diffame hath his resort,
Neuer deieth, but quekith be thoutrage
Off hatful tunges & venymous language.
Is slayn and ded be sclaund[e]rous report,
Bet is off deth the dreedful peyne endure,
Than be fals noise ay luye in disconfort,
Wher newe & newe diffame hath his resort,
234
Off hatful tunges & venymous language.
Doth your deuer to halwe & make stable
The chast[e] chaumbres off wifli gouernaunce;
For in this cas yiff ye be variable
On fals auoutri for to do vengaunce,
Ther shal folwe euerlastyng remembraunce,
How trewe spousaile, as ye han herd deuysed,
In your cite was broke and nat chastised.
The chast[e] chaumbres off wifli gouernaunce;
For in this cas yiff ye be variable
On fals auoutri for to do vengaunce,
Ther shal folwe euerlastyng remembraunce,
How trewe spousaile, as ye han herd deuysed,
In your cite was broke and nat chastised.
Yiff ye be founde in such cas necligent
To punysshe auoutours, off riht as is your charge,
Thoruh your slouthe, as ye were off assent,
Luxure onbridled shal renne abrod at large.
Who shal thanne your conscience discharge,
Or what woman stonde in sekirnesse,
Off Lucrece afforced the clennesse?
To punysshe auoutours, off riht as is your charge,
Thoruh your slouthe, as ye were off assent,
Luxure onbridled shal renne abrod at large.
Who shal thanne your conscience discharge,
Or what woman stonde in sekirnesse,
Off Lucrece afforced the clennesse?
O deere husbonde, what ioie sholde it be
To thyn estat, in ony maner place,
Lich as thi wiff [for] to cherisshe me,
Or in thyn armys me goodli to enbrace,
The gilt horrible considred and trespace
Be Tarquyn doon—alas and welaway!—
Which in my persone may neuer be wasshe away?
To thyn estat, in ony maner place,
Lich as thi wiff [for] to cherisshe me,
Or in thyn armys me goodli to enbrace,
The gilt horrible considred and trespace
Be Tarquyn doon—alas and welaway!—
Which in my persone may neuer be wasshe away?
And fader myn, how sholdestou me calle,
Afftir this day, thyn owne douhter deere,
Which am, alas, refus off women alle,
That to thi plesaunce was whilom most enteere,
Withynne thi hous whan I dede lere,
Bi cleer exaumple off manyfold doctryne,
Al that partened to vertuous disciplyne?
Afftir this day, thyn owne douhter deere,
Which am, alas, refus off women alle,
That to thi plesaunce was whilom most enteere,
Withynne thi hous whan I dede lere,
Bi cleer exaumple off manyfold doctryne,
Al that partened to vertuous disciplyne?
Which I haue lost now in my daies olde,
Disespeired it to recure ageyn.
Myn owne childre, I dar hem nat beholde,
Because the wombe in which that thei ha[ue] leyn
Diffouled is and pollut in certeyn,
Which was toforn in chastite conserued.
Chastisith thauoutour, as he hath disserued!
Disespeired it to recure ageyn.
Myn owne childre, I dar hem nat beholde,
Because the wombe in which that thei ha[ue] leyn
Diffouled is and pollut in certeyn,
Which was toforn in chastite conserued.
Chastisith thauoutour, as he hath disserued!
235
And for my part to speke in woordes fewe,
Lenger to lyue I ha[ue] no fantasie;
For wher sholde I out my face shewe,
Or dore appeere in any cumpanye,
Sithe a dirk spotte off fals auoutrie
Shal euer encrece, wher it be fals or trewe,
Into myn hyndryng the sclaundre to renewe?
Lenger to lyue I ha[ue] no fantasie;
For wher sholde I out my face shewe,
Or dore appeere in any cumpanye,
Sithe a dirk spotte off fals auoutrie
Shal euer encrece, wher it be fals or trewe,
Into myn hyndryng the sclaundre to renewe?
Lust afforcid hath a fals appetit,
Of freelte includid in Nature;
Maugre the will, ther folweth a delit,
As summe folk seyn, in eueri creature.
Good fame lost, ful hard is to recure;
And sithe I may myn harmys nat redresse,
To you in open my gilt I will confesse.
Of freelte includid in Nature;
Maugre the will, ther folweth a delit,
As summe folk seyn, in eueri creature.
Good fame lost, ful hard is to recure;
And sithe I may myn harmys nat redresse,
To you in open my gilt I will confesse.
Al-be I was ageyn my will oppressid,
Ther was a maner constreyned lust in deede,
Which for noun power myht nat be redressid,
For febilnesse I stood in so gret dreede.
For which offence deth shal be my meede,
Sith leuer I haue with sum egge tool
To sle mysilff, than lyue in sclaundre & dool.
Ther was a maner constreyned lust in deede,
Which for noun power myht nat be redressid,
For febilnesse I stood in so gret dreede.
For which offence deth shal be my meede,
Sith leuer I haue with sum egge tool
To sle mysilff, than lyue in sclaundre & dool.
O fader myn, spare and ha[ue] pite!
And deere husbonde, rewe on myn offence!
Goddis & goddessis callid off chastite,
To my trespace graunteth an indulgence;
For off my gilt to make a recompence,
Wher that Venus gat in me auauntage,
Deth shal redresse & chastise myn outrage.
And deere husbonde, rewe on myn offence!
Goddis & goddessis callid off chastite,
To my trespace graunteth an indulgence;
For off my gilt to make a recompence,
Wher that Venus gat in me auauntage,
Deth shal redresse & chastise myn outrage.
For yiff I sholde make a delay
To perce my brest bi sharpnesse off a knyff,
Men wolde deeme and sey fro day to day,
To make my sclaundre mor open & mor ryff,
How that I was mor tendir off my lyff
Than off my worshep, which wer to gret a shame,—
To loue my liff mor than my good[e] name!
To perce my brest bi sharpnesse off a knyff,
Men wolde deeme and sey fro day to day,
To make my sclaundre mor open & mor ryff,
How that I was mor tendir off my lyff
Than off my worshep, which wer to gret a shame,—
To loue my liff mor than my good[e] name!
236
In this mateer no witnesse is so good,
To putte a-way al fals suspecioun,
As with a knyff to sheede myn herte blood:
I myht nat make a bet purgacioun
To alle folk that ha[ue] discrecioun,
Than fynali be my deth texcuse
The gilt horible, off which men me accuse.
To putte a-way al fals suspecioun,
As with a knyff to sheede myn herte blood:
I myht nat make a bet purgacioun
To alle folk that ha[ue] discrecioun,
Than fynali be my deth texcuse
The gilt horible, off which men me accuse.
Go foorth my soule, peur & inmortal,
Cheeff[e] witnesse off myn innocence,
Tofor tho iuges which be infernal:
First Mynos, kyng, to deeme my conscience,
With Radamanthus to yeuen a sentence
Lik my desert, that it may be seene,
In wifli trouthe how that I was cleene.
Cheeff[e] witnesse off myn innocence,
Tofor tho iuges which be infernal:
First Mynos, kyng, to deeme my conscience,
With Radamanthus to yeuen a sentence
Lik my desert, that it may be seene,
In wifli trouthe how that I was cleene.
Thou ertheli body, which thoruh thi fairnesse
Were to auoutri ful gret occasioun,
Off thi blood sheede out the red[e]nesse,
And be thi sides late it raile doun;
Stere and excite the peeple off this toun
To doon ther deuer, withynne a litil while,
For loue off Tarquyn, alle kynges to exile.
Were to auoutri ful gret occasioun,
Off thi blood sheede out the red[e]nesse,
And be thi sides late it raile doun;
Stere and excite the peeple off this toun
To doon ther deuer, withynne a litil while,
For loue off Tarquyn, alle kynges to exile.
And first I praie, myn husbonde most enteere,
Off this vengaunce to make no delay;
With helpe & socour off my fader deere
To punysshe thauoutour, in al the haste ye may;
Let hym take his wages and his pay,
Lik as ye seen, and pleynli now conceyue,
For his offence the deth I do receyue.”
Off this vengaunce to make no delay;
With helpe & socour off my fader deere
To punysshe thauoutour, in al the haste ye may;
Let hym take his wages and his pay,
Lik as ye seen, and pleynli now conceyue,
For his offence the deth I do receyue.”
And sodenli, or thei myhte aduerte,
She took a knyff, and with gret violence,
Thoruh the brest, euene onto the herte
She made it glide,—ther was no resistence.
Ful pale and ded fill doun in ther presence.
And bi occasioun off this pitous deede,
Tarquyn exilid, and hooli his kenreede.
She took a knyff, and with gret violence,
Thoruh the brest, euene onto the herte
She made it glide,—ther was no resistence.
Ful pale and ded fill doun in ther presence.
And bi occasioun off this pitous deede,
Tarquyn exilid, and hooli his kenreede.
237
For which[e] cause, be record off writyng,
Was ther neuer in Rome the cite,
Afftir that day no man crownyd kyng,
As in cronycles ye may beholde and see.
Thus for luxur[y]e and ther cruelte,
Ther tirannye and fals extorsioun,
Thei wer exilid out off Rome toun.
Was ther neuer in Rome the cite,
Afftir that day no man crownyd kyng,
As in cronycles ye may beholde and see.
Thus for luxur[y]e and ther cruelte,
Ther tirannye and fals extorsioun,
Thei wer exilid out off Rome toun.
[How Rome aftir was gouerned and virginea bi hir fadir slayn.]
Gouerned afftir bi other officeres,
As is remembred in Titus Lyuyus,
Callid decemvir of dyuers cronycleres;
Among[es] which ther was on Appius,
A iuge ontrewe, proud and luxurious,
Which thoruh the cite, the story berth witnesse,
Behatid was for his gret falsnesse.
As is remembred in Titus Lyuyus,
Callid decemvir of dyuers cronycleres;
Among[es] which ther was on Appius,
A iuge ontrewe, proud and luxurious,
Which thoruh the cite, the story berth witnesse,
Behatid was for his gret falsnesse.
And onys it fill, as he caste his look
Vpon a maide most inli fair off siht,
A fals desir withynne his herte he took
Hir to disuse, ageyn al skele and riht.
And she was douhter to a worthi knyht,
Ful manli founde in his deedis all,
And Virginius the Romeyns dede hym call.
Vpon a maide most inli fair off siht,
A fals desir withynne his herte he took
Hir to disuse, ageyn al skele and riht.
And she was douhter to a worthi knyht,
Ful manli founde in his deedis all,
And Virginius the Romeyns dede hym call.
Whos goodli douhter, the story doth us lere,
Was afftir hym for his noble fame
Virginia callid, most goodli & enteere;
And for this cause she bar the same name.
But Appius ful gretli was to blame,
Which hath conspired thoruh his gret falsnesse,
Yiff that he myhte hir beute to oppresse.
Was afftir hym for his noble fame
Virginia callid, most goodli & enteere;
And for this cause she bar the same name.
But Appius ful gretli was to blame,
Which hath conspired thoruh his gret falsnesse,
Yiff that he myhte hir beute to oppresse.
This iuge ontrewe bothe in thouht and deede,
Off lawe onrihtful souhte out occasioun;
Made a sergeant off his to proceede,
Ageyn this maide to take an accioun,
Cleymed hir his seruant bi fals collusioun.
And this was doon be Appius off entent
That he on hir myht yiue a iugement.
Off lawe onrihtful souhte out occasioun;
Made a sergeant off his to proceede,
Ageyn this maide to take an accioun,
Cleymed hir his seruant bi fals collusioun.
And this was doon be Appius off entent
That he on hir myht yiue a iugement.
238
And be this mene, in his fals delit,
Thouhte he myhte hir beute best disuse,
So for taccomplisshe his flesshli appetit,
She beyng feeble thaccioun to refuse.
Wherupon hir fader gan to muse,
Fulli conceyued off Appius the maner,
In hir diffence wrouhte as ye shal heer.
Thouhte he myhte hir beute best disuse,
So for taccomplisshe his flesshli appetit,
She beyng feeble thaccioun to refuse.
Wherupon hir fader gan to muse,
Fulli conceyued off Appius the maner,
In hir diffence wrouhte as ye shal heer.
Whan Appius hadde youe his iugement
Ageyn this maide, which aforn hym stood,
Hir manli fadir, most knyhtli off entent,
Took hir appart, as he thouhte it good,
And with a knyff shadde hir herte blood:
Dempte it bettre to slen hir in clennesse,
Than the tirant hir beute sholde oppresse.
Ageyn this maide, which aforn hym stood,
Hir manli fadir, most knyhtli off entent,
Took hir appart, as he thouhte it good,
And with a knyff shadde hir herte blood:
Dempte it bettre to slen hir in clennesse,
Than the tirant hir beute sholde oppresse.
Thus hool conserued was hir chastite
And ondefoulid was hir maydenheede;
For Virginius to keepe hir honeste
Spared no thyng to make hir sides bleede.
But Appius for this horible deede,
And decemvir, thoruh this onhappi chaunce,
Hadde in that cite neuer afftir gouernaunce.
And ondefoulid was hir maydenheede;
For Virginius to keepe hir honeste
Spared no thyng to make hir sides bleede.
But Appius for this horible deede,
And decemvir, thoruh this onhappi chaunce,
Hadde in that cite neuer afftir gouernaunce.
As the story maketh also mencioun,
Appius, ashamed off this deede,
Slouh hymsilff[e] fetrid in prisoun:
Off a fals iuge, loo heer the fynal meede!
And tho tribuni in Rome gan succeede,
Twen riht & wrong treuli to discerne,
And Romayn lawes iustli to gouerne.
Appius, ashamed off this deede,
Slouh hymsilff[e] fetrid in prisoun:
Off a fals iuge, loo heer the fynal meede!
And tho tribuni in Rome gan succeede,
Twen riht & wrong treuli to discerne,
And Romayn lawes iustli to gouerne.
Men may heer seen as in a merour cleer,
Estatis chaungid for ther gret offencis;
And be sum poore persone synguleer
Pryncis put doun from ther magnyficencis,
Which nat considre in ther gret excellencis,
How God ordeyneth his yerde [in] sundri wise,
The poore sumwhile the pompous to chastise.
Estatis chaungid for ther gret offencis;
And be sum poore persone synguleer
Pryncis put doun from ther magnyficencis,
Which nat considre in ther gret excellencis,
How God ordeyneth his yerde [in] sundri wise,
The poore sumwhile the pompous to chastise.
239
Heeron to shewe exaumple anon riht,
Markid in story for a notable thyng,
Pausanias, off Grece a manli knyht,
Off Macedonye slouh Phelipp the kyng
At a table where he was sittyng
Tween Alisandre and Olimpiades,
His wrong tauengen, amyddis al the pres.
Markid in story for a notable thyng,
Pausanias, off Grece a manli knyht,
Off Macedonye slouh Phelipp the kyng
At a table where he was sittyng
Tween Alisandre and Olimpiades,
His wrong tauengen, amyddis al the pres.
Eek Salmator, a knyht off low degre,
For wronges doon in especiall,
Off manli force groundid on equite
Slouh off Cartage the prynce Hastruball,
Which brother was onto Duc Hanyball,
Beside a ryuer, as thei mette in bataile,
Callid Metaure, which renneth in Ytaile.
For wronges doon in especiall,
Off manli force groundid on equite
Slouh off Cartage the prynce Hastruball,
Which brother was onto Duc Hanyball,
Beside a ryuer, as thei mette in bataile,
Callid Metaure, which renneth in Ytaile.
Wherfore, ye Pryncis, yiff ye list longe endure,
Beth riht weel war, be ye neuer so strong,
In your lordshepis nat to moche assure
Off surquedie the poraile to do wrong,
In your discrecioun conceyuyng euer a-mong,
Grettest dreed is, that may your staat assaile,
Whan subieccioun doth in the peeple faile.
Beth riht weel war, be ye neuer so strong,
In your lordshepis nat to moche assure
Off surquedie the poraile to do wrong,
In your discrecioun conceyuyng euer a-mong,
Grettest dreed is, that may your staat assaile,
Whan subieccioun doth in the peeple faile.
Lenvoy.
This tragedie declareth in partie,
What myscheef folweth of extorsioun,
Eek off spousbrech and of auoutrie
Be Tarquyn doon thoruh fals oppressioun
Onto Lucrece withynne Rome toun;
Kynges exiled for such mysgouernaile
And fals outrages doon to the poraile.
What myscheef folweth of extorsioun,
Eek off spousbrech and of auoutrie
Be Tarquyn doon thoruh fals oppressioun
Onto Lucrece withynne Rome toun;
Kynges exiled for such mysgouernaile
And fals outrages doon to the poraile.
Eek Appius, off wilful tirannye,
Ageyn Virginia took an accioun,
Thoruh a fals lust off froward lecherie,
Blent and fordirked his memorie & resoun,
Which was cheeff cause and occasioun
Whi thestat off dishomme dede faile,
Thoruh fals outrages doon to the poraile.
Ageyn Virginia took an accioun,
Thoruh a fals lust off froward lecherie,
Blent and fordirked his memorie & resoun,
Which was cheeff cause and occasioun
Whi thestat off dishomme dede faile,
Thoruh fals outrages doon to the poraile.
240
Kyng Phelipp loste sceptre and regalie
Off Macedonye the famous regeoun,
Onwarli slay[e]n, myd his cheualrie
Sittyng at mete withynne his cheeff dongoun.
And grettest cause off his fallyng doun,
Was whan Fortune his pride dede assaile
For fals outrages doon to the poraile.
Off Macedonye the famous regeoun,
Onwarli slay[e]n, myd his cheualrie
Sittyng at mete withynne his cheeff dongoun.
And grettest cause off his fallyng doun,
Was whan Fortune his pride dede assaile
For fals outrages doon to the poraile.
Duk Hastrubal, whom bokis magnefie
Vp to the heuene for his hih renoun,
Whos tryumphes rauht up to the skie,
And hadde al Cartage in his subieccioun,—
Yit was he slayn onwarli be tresoun,
Be a seruant; loo, what doth disauaile
Treson purposid aforn in the poraile!
Vp to the heuene for his hih renoun,
Whos tryumphes rauht up to the skie,
And hadde al Cartage in his subieccioun,—
Yit was he slayn onwarli be tresoun,
Be a seruant; loo, what doth disauaile
Treson purposid aforn in the poraile!
Noble Pryncis, your resoun doth applie,
Whiche ouer the peeple ha[ue] dominacioun,
So prudentli to gouerne hem and guie,
That loue and dreed be trewe affeccioun
Preserue ther hertis from fals rebellioun,
Sithe to your hihnesse nothyng may mor preuaile
Than trewe subieccioun expert in the poraile.
Whiche ouer the peeple ha[ue] dominacioun,
So prudentli to gouerne hem and guie,
That loue and dreed be trewe affeccioun
Preserue ther hertis from fals rebellioun,
Sithe to your hihnesse nothyng may mor preuaile
Than trewe subieccioun expert in the poraile.
[How Ieroboam Kyng of Israel for Idolatrie and disobedience cam to mischeues ende.]
Next these stories, in Bochas as I fynde,
Ther dede appeere onto his presence
Kynges sexe, hym praieng to ha[ue] mynde
Vpon ther fall be onwar violence
From ther estatis off roial excellence.
And toforn alle, I fynde, that ther cam
Off al Israel kyng Ieroboam.
Ther dede appeere onto his presence
Kynges sexe, hym praieng to ha[ue] mynde
Vpon ther fall be onwar violence
From ther estatis off roial excellence.
And toforn alle, I fynde, that ther cam
Off al Israel kyng Ieroboam.
Onto myn auctour he began declare
His dedli compleynt with a pale face,
His gret myscheuys and his euel fare,
And how he fill doun from his kyngli place
Thoruh gret onhappis, which dede his herte enbrace,
And, as this story pleynli hath deuysed,
For his offencis how he was chastised.
His dedli compleynt with a pale face,
His gret myscheuys and his euel fare,
And how he fill doun from his kyngli place
Thoruh gret onhappis, which dede his herte enbrace,
241
For his offencis how he was chastised.
An ydolatre he was, as it is told,
Reised up auteres, off veray force & myht,
Set therupon too calueren of peur gold,
Dede hem worshepe, ageyn al skele & riht,
Gaff euel exaumple in the peeplis siht,
Whan he dede with fumys and encens
To fals ydoles ondeu reuerens.
Reised up auteres, off veray force & myht,
Set therupon too calueren of peur gold,
Dede hem worshepe, ageyn al skele & riht,
Gaff euel exaumple in the peeplis siht,
Whan he dede with fumys and encens
To fals ydoles ondeu reuerens.
Fro the temple he made the peeple gon,
Preestis ordeyned afftir his owne guise,
Forsook the tribe off Leuy and Aaron,
And vpon Bethel his offryng gan deuise.
And whil he dede onleefful sacrefise,
God, that weel knew off hym the fals entent,
Fro Ierusalem a prophete to hym sent.
Preestis ordeyned afftir his owne guise,
Forsook the tribe off Leuy and Aaron,
And vpon Bethel his offryng gan deuise.
And whil he dede onleefful sacrefise,
God, that weel knew off hym the fals entent,
Fro Ierusalem a prophete to hym sent.
Which hym rebuked off his mysgouernaunce,
And gan the pereiles to hym specefie;
Told hym aforn[e], for to do vengaunce
Off Dauid[s] kyn ther sholde come on Iosie,
Which sholde his preestis, that falsli coude lie,
Manli destroie, and slen hem alle attonys
And into asshes brenne hem flessh and bonys.
And gan the pereiles to hym specefie;
Told hym aforn[e], for to do vengaunce
Off Dauid[s] kyn ther sholde come on Iosie,
Which sholde his preestis, that falsli coude lie,
Manli destroie, and slen hem alle attonys
And into asshes brenne hem flessh and bonys.
And in tokne off ther destruccioun,
The prophete told among hem all,
How his auteris sholde bowe doun,
And his ydoles from ther stage fall,
Whom that foolis ther goddis falsli call,
Which ha[ue] no power to helpe in no manere,
For thei may nouther feele, see nor heere.
The prophete told among hem all,
How his auteris sholde bowe doun,
And his ydoles from ther stage fall,
Whom that foolis ther goddis falsli call,
Which ha[ue] no power to helpe in no manere,
For thei may nouther feele, see nor heere.
Afftir this prophete, Iadan, hadde told
These said[e] signes pleynli to the kyng,
His auter fill on pecis manyfold,
And ouerturned bakward his offryng;
For which the kyng, furiousli lokyng,
Put foorth his hand, the story maketh mynde,
Bad his men the prophete take and bynde.
These said[e] signes pleynli to the kyng,
His auter fill on pecis manyfold,
242
For which the kyng, furiousli lokyng,
Put foorth his hand, the story maketh mynde,
Bad his men the prophete take and bynde.
And as he his arm rauht out on lengthe,
Hadde no power it to withdrawe ageyn,
Wex onweeldi, contract and lost his strengthe.
And whan the kyng hath these toknys seyn,
And how the prophete spak no woord in veyn,
Gretli astonyd, koude sey no more,
But prai[e]de Iadan his arm for to restore.
Hadde no power it to withdrawe ageyn,
Wex onweeldi, contract and lost his strengthe.
And whan the kyng hath these toknys seyn,
And how the prophete spak no woord in veyn,
Gretli astonyd, koude sey no more,
But prai[e]de Iadan his arm for to restore.
And be his praier and mediacioun,
Off his arm, afftir this vengaunce,
Ther was anon maad restitucioun,
And off his peyne feelith alegaunce.
For which the kyng, with ful gret instaunce,
Requered hym to be so gracious,
That day tabide and dynen in his hous.
Off his arm, afftir this vengaunce,
Ther was anon maad restitucioun,
And off his peyne feelith alegaunce.
For which the kyng, with ful gret instaunce,
Requered hym to be so gracious,
That day tabide and dynen in his hous.
But the prophete wolde nat assente,
Nouther with hym to ete nor to drynke;
Took his asse, and foorth anon he wente,
On whose departyng the kyng gan sore thynke,
And fantasies gan in his herte synke,
Speciali whan he taketh heede
Off all his toknys, how thei were trewe in deede.
Nouther with hym to ete nor to drynke;
Took his asse, and foorth anon he wente,
On whose departyng the kyng gan sore thynke,
And fantasies gan in his herte synke,
Speciali whan he taketh heede
Off all his toknys, how thei were trewe in deede.
God bad Iadan in this gret emprise
To Ieroboam first whan he was sent,
Ete nor drynke, in no maner wise,
In that cite whil he was present;
But a-nother prophete off entent,
Ful old and slyh, on the tother side,
Compellid hath this Iadan to abide.
To Ieroboam first whan he was sent,
Ete nor drynke, in no maner wise,
In that cite whil he was present;
But a-nother prophete off entent,
Ful old and slyh, on the tother side,
Compellid hath this Iadan to abide.
Hym afforcyng be fals collusioun
To resorte ageyn to the cite,
And to make no contradiccioun
With hym to dyne off fraternyte,
To hym affermyng, it may non other be:
For God sent hym as to his freend and brother,
Tabide with hym & pleynli with non other,
To resorte ageyn to the cite,
And to make no contradiccioun
With hym to dyne off fraternyte,
To hym affermyng, it may non other be:
243
Tabide with hym & pleynli with non other,
Off freendliheed and trewe affeccioun
Withynne his hous to shewen his presence,
For a repast and a refeccioun:
This Godis will and fulli his sentence.
To whos woordis the prophete gaff credence.
And as thei sat at dyner bothe ifeere,
God onto Iadan seide in this manere:
Withynne his hous to shewen his presence,
For a repast and a refeccioun:
This Godis will and fulli his sentence.
To whos woordis the prophete gaff credence.
And as thei sat at dyner bothe ifeere,
God onto Iadan seide in this manere:
“For the brekyng off my comaundement,
Thi grete offence and transgressioun,
That thou hast been so wilful necligent,
Thou shalt endure this punycioun,
Been al to-torn and rent off a leoun,
And in thi cuntre thou shalt nat recure,
With prophetis to haue thi sepulture.”
Thi grete offence and transgressioun,
That thou hast been so wilful necligent,
Thou shalt endure this punycioun,
Been al to-torn and rent off a leoun,
And in thi cuntre thou shalt nat recure,
With prophetis to haue thi sepulture.”
Off which[e] tithyng, this Iadan nothyng fayn,
Gan to departe with a ful heuy thouht:
Off a leoun myd off the weye slayn;
But his asse harmyd was riht nouht.
A ful gret merueile, yiff it be weel souht,
The leoun sittynge as in ther diffence,
And kept hem bothe from al violence.
Gan to departe with a ful heuy thouht:
Off a leoun myd off the weye slayn;
But his asse harmyd was riht nouht.
A ful gret merueile, yiff it be weel souht,
The leoun sittynge as in ther diffence,
And kept hem bothe from al violence.
Alle these toknys myht[e] nat conuerte
Ieroboam from his iniquite;
Godis warnyng hym list nat to aduerte,
Nor be his prophete correctid for to be.
Wherfore, God wolde that he sholde see
Vengaunce folwe, as it fill in deede,
Bothe vpon hym and [on] his kynreede.
Ieroboam from his iniquite;
Godis warnyng hym list nat to aduerte,
Nor be his prophete correctid for to be.
Wherfore, God wolde that he sholde see
Vengaunce folwe, as it fill in deede,
Bothe vpon hym and [on] his kynreede.
A sone he hadde, which fill in gret siknesse,
Callid Abimen, the book doth specefie;
For which the kyng bad the queen hir dresse,
To gon disguised, withoute cumpanye,
Onto a prophete which callid was Achye,
Hym to requere, treuli for to seye
Whethir the child sholde lyue or deye.
Callid Abimen, the book doth specefie;
For which the kyng bad the queen hir dresse,
To gon disguised, withoute cumpanye,
Onto a prophete which callid was Achye,
Hym to requere, treuli for to seye
Whethir the child sholde lyue or deye.
244
And in his inward sihte contemplatiff,
God shewed hym bi cleer inspeccioun,
Off Ieroboam how she was the wiff,
For al hir sleihti transformacioun.
For nouther fallas nor fals decepcioun
May be to God, but it be parceyued;
For he nys prophetis may nat be deceyued.
God shewed hym bi cleer inspeccioun,
Off Ieroboam how she was the wiff,
For al hir sleihti transformacioun.
For nouther fallas nor fals decepcioun
May be to God, but it be parceyued;
For he nys prophetis may nat be deceyued.
She cam to hym in a straunge weede;
At thentryng he callid hir bi hir name:
“Com foorth,” quod he, “for it is no neede
To hide thi-silff[e], as it were for shame;
For the trouthe treuli to attame,
God hath youe me fulli knowlechyng
What thou shalt answere & seyn onto the kyng.
At thentryng he callid hir bi hir name:
“Com foorth,” quod he, “for it is no neede
To hide thi-silff[e], as it were for shame;
For the trouthe treuli to attame,
God hath youe me fulli knowlechyng
What thou shalt answere & seyn onto the kyng.
Sey pleynli to hym, & marke it in thi thouht,
In thi repair these woordis rehersyng,
‘Sith God hath maad the, & reised the up off nouht,
From a seruaunt to regnen as a kyng,
Fro Dauidis kyn, most worthi[ly] regnyng,
Partid the kyngdam & youen it onto the,
And thou onkynde theroff canst nothyng see,—
In thi repair these woordis rehersyng,
‘Sith God hath maad the, & reised the up off nouht,
From a seruaunt to regnen as a kyng,
Fro Dauidis kyn, most worthi[ly] regnyng,
Partid the kyngdam & youen it onto the,
And thou onkynde theroff canst nothyng see,—
His grete goodnesse is out off remembraunce,
Fulli forgetyn off thi froward pride;
In fals[e] goddis put thyn affiaunce,
God aboue falsli set a-side,
Wherfore from the anon he shal deuyde
Thy kyngdam hool, withoute mor delay,
And fro thi lyne the crowne take away.
Fulli forgetyn off thi froward pride;
In fals[e] goddis put thyn affiaunce,
God aboue falsli set a-side,
Wherfore from the anon he shal deuyde
Thy kyngdam hool, withoute mor delay,
And fro thi lyne the crowne take away.
And for thou hast to thi confusioun
Thi feith, onfeithful, to false goddis take,
Wrongli refused thi relegeoun
Off God aboue, & pleynli hym forsake,
This thende which that thou shalt make:
The and thi kyn no man may socoure;
Flessh, skyn and bon houndis shal deuoure.
Thi feith, onfeithful, to false goddis take,
Wrongli refused thi relegeoun
Off God aboue, & pleynli hym forsake,
This thende which that thou shalt make:
The and thi kyn no man may socoure;
Flessh, skyn and bon houndis shal deuoure.
245
And at thentryng hom to thi cite,
Thi sone and his, thou shalt fynde hym ded,
Off al his kyn thouh ther was non but he
Founde veray good[e]; tak heeroff good heed.’”
Off which answere the queen fill in gret dreed,
Entryng the cite in especiall,
Hir child was ded, & lay cold be the wall.
Thi sone and his, thou shalt fynde hym ded,
Off al his kyn thouh ther was non but he
Founde veray good[e]; tak heeroff good heed.’”
Off which answere the queen fill in gret dreed,
Entryng the cite in especiall,
Hir child was ded, & lay cold be the wall.
Off this warnyng the kyng took non heed,
But made hym redi with ful gret apparaile,—
Fourti thousand with hym he dede leed
Off manli men armed in plate & maile,
With kyng Abias to haue a gret bataile.
The which Abias, that was off Iuda kyng,
Onto his peeple saide at ther meetyng:
But made hym redi with ful gret apparaile,—
Fourti thousand with hym he dede leed
Off manli men armed in plate & maile,
With kyng Abias to haue a gret bataile.
The which Abias, that was off Iuda kyng,
Onto his peeple saide at ther meetyng:
“O noble knyhtis, hath o thyng in memorie,
No man venquysshith, platli to conclude,
With gret peeple, nor getith hym victorie
With noumbres hepid nor gret multitude;
Fals ydolatres, God will hem dillude,
Nat suffre his seruauntis that be trewe & sad
Off mescreantis to been ouerlad.
No man venquysshith, platli to conclude,
With gret peeple, nor getith hym victorie
With noumbres hepid nor gret multitude;
Fals ydolatres, God will hem dillude,
Nat suffre his seruauntis that be trewe & sad
Off mescreantis to been ouerlad.
Tryumphe is non founde off newe or old
In these ydoles off ston nor siluer sheene,
Nor in caluere off metal maad or gold,
Youe to that parti which ontreuli meene.
And sithe that God knoweth our quarel cleene,
Ther is non hope, force non nor myht
With hem that grounde hem a cause ageyn[e]s ryht.
In these ydoles off ston nor siluer sheene,
Nor in caluere off metal maad or gold,
Youe to that parti which ontreuli meene.
And sithe that God knoweth our quarel cleene,
Ther is non hope, force non nor myht
With hem that grounde hem a cause ageyn[e]s ryht.
Hope off victorie stant on rihtwisnesse,
Off them that caste ther synful liff tamende,
And list forsake wrong and al falsnesse,
And with hool herte onto the Lord entende;
Which shal this day his grace to you sende,
Our trewe cause iustly to termyne.”
And thus Abias gan his tale fyne.
Off them that caste ther synful liff tamende,
And list forsake wrong and al falsnesse,
And with hool herte onto the Lord entende;
Which shal this day his grace to you sende,
246
And thus Abias gan his tale fyne.
His preestis gan ther trumpes for to blowe;
And kyng Abias thoruh his hih renoun
Gaff to his peeple, bothe to hih & lowe,
Ful manli confort and consolacioun.
And fifti thousand be computacioun
Wer slayn that day, which ful proudli cam
Vpon the parti off kyng Ieroboam.
And kyng Abias thoruh his hih renoun
Gaff to his peeple, bothe to hih & lowe,
Ful manli confort and consolacioun.
And fifti thousand be computacioun
Wer slayn that day, which ful proudli cam
Vpon the parti off kyng Ieroboam.
And al the parti off Ieroboam,
And al that wer[e]n off his lyne born,
Afftir this bataile onto myscheeff cam,
Whan thei were slayn, with houndis al to-torn,
As the prophete hadde hem told beforn.
But for the kyng took theroff non heed,
With sodeyn vengaunce God quit hym his meed.
And al that wer[e]n off his lyne born,
Afftir this bataile onto myscheeff cam,
Whan thei were slayn, with houndis al to-torn,
As the prophete hadde hem told beforn.
But for the kyng took theroff non heed,
With sodeyn vengaunce God quit hym his meed.
[How Zareas Kyng of Ethiope was slayn in bataile.]
Afftir hym to Bochas dede appeere,
Next in ordre pleynli, as I fynde,
On Zareas, with a sorweful cheere.
And he was kyng off Ethiope and Ynde,
Whos eyen wern almost with wepyng blynde,
Praieng myn auctour, his onhappi chaunce
With othre woful to putte in remembraunce,
Next in ordre pleynli, as I fynde,
On Zareas, with a sorweful cheere.
And he was kyng off Ethiope and Ynde,
Whos eyen wern almost with wepyng blynde,
Praieng myn auctour, his onhappi chaunce
With othre woful to putte in remembraunce,
And that he wolde recorden be scripture
His sodeyn fall and dolorous distresse,
And his diffamous hatful disconfiture,
With the dispoilyng off his gret richesse,
And how kyng Asaph, thoruh his hih noblesse,
Myd his peeple, as he dede hym assaile,
Hath hym venquysshid & slay[e]n in bataile.
His sodeyn fall and dolorous distresse,
And his diffamous hatful disconfiture,
With the dispoilyng off his gret richesse,
And how kyng Asaph, thoruh his hih noblesse,
Myd his peeple, as he dede hym assaile,
Hath hym venquysshid & slay[e]n in bataile.
247
[How Adab kyng of Ierusalem lost sceptre & crowne.]
Off Israel than cam the woful kyng
Callid Adab, ful pitousli wepyng,
Onto Bochas his compleynt rehersyng,
How kyng Basa, be subtil fals werkyng,
With sodeyn slauhtre caused his fallyng,
Whan Fortune gan falsli [on hym] frowne,
And took oniustli from hym sceptre & crowne.
Callid Adab, ful pitousli wepyng,
Onto Bochas his compleynt rehersyng,
How kyng Basa, be subtil fals werkyng,
With sodeyn slauhtre caused his fallyng,
Whan Fortune gan falsli [on hym] frowne,
And took oniustli from hym sceptre & crowne.
[How the vengeable prince Zambrias set a toure on fire and brent himsilf.]
Next cam Zambrias, a prince [ful] vengable,
Which slouh kyng Helam be fals tresoun,
That fond also Fortune ful onstable;
For this Zambrias off entencioun
Hath moordrid hym withynne the cheeff dongoun
Off his castell, with a ful gret[e] route,
As he onwarli laide a siege aboute.
Which slouh kyng Helam be fals tresoun,
That fond also Fortune ful onstable;
For this Zambrias off entencioun
Hath moordrid hym withynne the cheeff dongoun
Off his castell, with a ful gret[e] route,
As he onwarli laide a siege aboute.
But Amaryn, a prynce off ful gret myht,
Cam into Tharse, a famous strong cite,
And cast hym pleynli, lik a worthi knyht,
On this Zambrias auenged for to be,
Hym to destroie withoute merci or pite.
But into a tour as Zambrias wente,
Set it affire, and so hymsilff he brente.
Cam into Tharse, a famous strong cite,
And cast hym pleynli, lik a worthi knyht,
On this Zambrias auenged for to be,
Hym to destroie withoute merci or pite.
But into a tour as Zambrias wente,
Set it affire, and so hymsilff he brente.
[Off Kyng Achab & Iezabel his wiff.]
Wyth sihhes sore & wepyng inportable,
Cam kyng Achab onto Iohn Bochas,
Whos hertli sorwe was incomparable.
And, compleynyng, ful offte [he] seide, alas!
Besechyng hym to write his woful cas,
Compile his fallyng and the fate ifeere
Off Athalia his owne douhter deere.
Cam kyng Achab onto Iohn Bochas,
Whos hertli sorwe was incomparable.
And, compleynyng, ful offte [he] seide, alas!
Besechyng hym to write his woful cas,
248
Off Athalia his owne douhter deere.
To God aboue most contrarious
This Achab was in al his gouernaunce,
And hadde a wiff cruel and lecherous
Callid Iezabel, which set al hir plesaunce
On Godis prophetis for to do vengaunce:
In the Bible ther malice men may see,
And ydolatres thei were, bothe he and she.
This Achab was in al his gouernaunce,
And hadde a wiff cruel and lecherous
Callid Iezabel, which set al hir plesaunce
On Godis prophetis for to do vengaunce:
In the Bible ther malice men may see,
And ydolatres thei were, bothe he and she.
God for ther trespacis, as it was weel seyn,
Afforshewed be trewe prophesie,
Sente thre yeer nouther deuh nor reyn
Vpon the erthe ther greyn to multeplie;
Till efft ageyn, bi praier off Helie,
Holsum watres from heuene gan descende,
Which gaff hem cause ther cursid liff tamende.
Afforshewed be trewe prophesie,
Sente thre yeer nouther deuh nor reyn
Vpon the erthe ther greyn to multeplie;
Till efft ageyn, bi praier off Helie,
Holsum watres from heuene gan descende,
Which gaff hem cause ther cursid liff tamende.
But his wiff, that cursid Iezabel,
To ech thyng hatful which that was dyuyne,
An hundred prophetis she slouh in Israel,
Onto Baal for thei ne wolde enclyne;
And she also slouh Naboth for his vyne,
Thoruh whos outrage & fals oppressioun
Achab was brouht to his confusioun.
To ech thyng hatful which that was dyuyne,
An hundred prophetis she slouh in Israel,
Onto Baal for thei ne wolde enclyne;
And she also slouh Naboth for his vyne,
Thoruh whos outrage & fals oppressioun
Achab was brouht to his confusioun.
Off his enmyes outraied in bataile,
With a sharp arwe cauht his fatal wounde,
Till al his blood be bledyng dede raile
Aboute his chaar, with many dropis rounde;
That the woordis wer ful trewe founde
Off Helias, which told hym, as it stood,
That hungri houndis sholde likke his blood.
With a sharp arwe cauht his fatal wounde,
Till al his blood be bledyng dede raile
Aboute his chaar, with many dropis rounde;
That the woordis wer ful trewe founde
Off Helias, which told hym, as it stood,
That hungri houndis sholde likke his blood.
In a cite, than callid Iezrael,
Doun from a tour ioynyng to the wall,
The said[e] queen, callid Iezabel,
Was ouercast & hadde a dedli fall.
Touchyng these myscheuys, for she was cause of all,
Bewar ye Pryncis, remembryng al your lyues,
Teschewen fals counsail youen by your wyues.
Doun from a tour ioynyng to the wall,
The said[e] queen, callid Iezabel,
Was ouercast & hadde a dedli fall.
Touchyng these myscheuys, for she was cause of all,
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Teschewen fals counsail youen by your wyues.
[Off queene Gatholia for hir tyrannye slayn.]
Next to Achab in ordre dede sue
Gatholia, with doolful contenaunce
Bochas besechyng, as she thouht it due,
Hir sodeyn fall to putte in remembraunce,
Sours and cheff roote off sorwe and myschaunce,
Vsurpacioun and off fals couetise,
Lik as hir story heeraftir shal deuise.
Gatholia, with doolful contenaunce
Bochas besechyng, as she thouht it due,
Hir sodeyn fall to putte in remembraunce,
Sours and cheff roote off sorwe and myschaunce,
Vsurpacioun and off fals couetise,
Lik as hir story heeraftir shal deuise.
She was vpreised be fauour in thre thynges;
For fader, brother, and also hir husbonde
Wer in that tyme echon crownyd kynges,
With sceptre and suerd, as ye shal vndirstonde,
Many emprises ther daies took on honde;
And how Fortune ther hihnesse dede assaile,
I caste shortli to make rehersaile.
For fader, brother, and also hir husbonde
Wer in that tyme echon crownyd kynges,
With sceptre and suerd, as ye shal vndirstonde,
Many emprises ther daies took on honde;
And how Fortune ther hihnesse dede assaile,
I caste shortli to make rehersaile.
She fill off Fortune in thunhappi boundis,
First whan hir fader was with an arwe ded,
His blood vplikked with cruel hungri houndis,
A-boute his chaar[e] rennyng doun ful red.
His bodi pale lay, who that took heed,
Lik a careyn, naked and dispoiled,
With foul blak erthe myd the feeld isoiled.
First whan hir fader was with an arwe ded,
His blood vplikked with cruel hungri houndis,
A-boute his chaar[e] rennyng doun ful red.
His bodi pale lay, who that took heed,
Lik a careyn, naked and dispoiled,
With foul blak erthe myd the feeld isoiled.
Cause of a-nother onhappi heuynesse
And off hir dedli desolacioun,
Was, the peeple felli dede hem dresse
Off Arabie in ther rebellioun
Ageyn hir husbonde, off entencioun
To robbe his tresour to ther auauntage,
And his richesse be outraious pillage.
And off hir dedli desolacioun,
Was, the peeple felli dede hem dresse
Off Arabie in ther rebellioun
Ageyn hir husbonde, off entencioun
To robbe his tresour to ther auauntage,
And his richesse be outraious pillage.
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Summe off his meyne thei puttyn in prisoun—
Ther was ageyn hem maked no diffence,—
Spared nouther cite, boruh nor toun,
Slouh man and child be sturdi violence.
Hir lord infect with sodeyn pestilence,
Conceyued fulli bi his maladie,
There was no geyn but he muste [nedis] deie.
Ther was ageyn hem maked no diffence,—
Spared nouther cite, boruh nor toun,
Slouh man and child be sturdi violence.
Hir lord infect with sodeyn pestilence,
Conceyued fulli bi his maladie,
There was no geyn but he muste [nedis] deie.
Afftir his deth, most wrechchid and odible,
His body corupt, his bowelis fell doun;
Off his careyn the stench was so horible,
Their infect aboute hym enviroun
With so gret horrour and putrefaccioun,
That no man myhte abiden nor endure
To brynge his bodi onto sepulture.
His body corupt, his bowelis fell doun;
Off his careyn the stench was so horible,
Their infect aboute hym enviroun
With so gret horrour and putrefaccioun,
That no man myhte abiden nor endure
To brynge his bodi onto sepulture.
Hir thridde onhapp, wheroff she was ful fayn
That Fortune list hir efft assaile,
Made hir vncle, kyng Ioram, to be slayn
With an arwe, as he fledde in bataile.
She supposyng it gretli sholde auaile,
Lik a woman most furious and wood,
She off kyng Dauid slouh al the roial blood.
That Fortune list hir efft assaile,
Made hir vncle, kyng Ioram, to be slayn
With an arwe, as he fledde in bataile.
She supposyng it gretli sholde auaile,
Lik a woman most furious and wood,
She off kyng Dauid slouh al the roial blood.
Hir purpos was to gouerne al the rewm,
Alone hirsilff ta dominacioun,
To regne in Iuda and Ierusalem,
This Gatholia be vsurpacioun.
And for that cause in hir entencioun,
With mortal suerd she made all tho to fyne
That were descendid from Dauid doun be lyne.
Alone hirsilff ta dominacioun,
To regne in Iuda and Ierusalem,
This Gatholia be vsurpacioun.
And for that cause in hir entencioun,
With mortal suerd she made all tho to fyne
That were descendid from Dauid doun be lyne.
Except on Ioas ther leffte non alyue,
Child off a yeer, sone off kyng Ochosie,
Whom Iosaketh, the story doth descryue,
Off verai pite cauhte a fantasie
The child to saue, that he shal nat deie,
From the malice off Gatholia.
And she was wiff to bisshop Ioiada.
Child off a yeer, sone off kyng Ochosie,
Whom Iosaketh, the story doth descryue,
Off verai pite cauhte a fantasie
The child to saue, that he shal nat deie,
From the malice off Gatholia.
And she was wiff to bisshop Ioiada.
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She and this bisshop, with hool herte & enteer,
Kepte this child in ful secre wise
Withynne the temple the space off seuene yeer,
And in the seuente, the story doth deuise,
Ioiada took on hym this emprise:
Yonge Ioas withynne a certeyn day
Be iust[e] title to crowne hym yiff he may.
Kepte this child in ful secre wise
Withynne the temple the space off seuene yeer,
And in the seuente, the story doth deuise,
Ioiada took on hym this emprise:
Yonge Ioas withynne a certeyn day
Be iust[e] title to crowne hym yiff he may.
His massageris he sendith out anon,
Off pryncis, tribunes gan a counseil call,
Off preestis eek, and leuytes euerichon.
And whan he hadde discured to hem all
Hool his entent, thus it is befall:
Sworn and assentid, as it was sittyng,
That yonge Ioas shal be crownyd kyng.
Off pryncis, tribunes gan a counseil call,
Off preestis eek, and leuytes euerichon.
And whan he hadde discured to hem all
Hool his entent, thus it is befall:
Sworn and assentid, as it was sittyng,
That yonge Ioas shal be crownyd kyng.
“For be promys, which that is dyuyne,”
Quod Ioiada, “yiff ye taken heede,
God hath behestid to Dauid and his lyne,
And assurid onto his kynreede,
In Ierusalem how thei shal succeede;
And thouh Ioas be yong & tendre off myht,
He to the crowne hath neuer-the-lesse ryht.
Quod Ioiada, “yiff ye taken heede,
God hath behestid to Dauid and his lyne,
And assurid onto his kynreede,
In Ierusalem how thei shal succeede;
And thouh Ioas be yong & tendre off myht,
He to the crowne hath neuer-the-lesse ryht.
In this mateer I wil nat that ye slepe,
But to shewe your trewe deligence,
On foure parties the temple for to keepe,
That no man entre be no violence;
And in the myddis, be roial excellence,”
Quod this bisshop, “no man shal us lette,
On Ioas hed a crowne for to sette.”
But to shewe your trewe deligence,
On foure parties the temple for to keepe,
That no man entre be no violence;
And in the myddis, be roial excellence,”
Quod this bisshop, “no man shal us lette,
On Ioas hed a crowne for to sette.”
And whan ech thyng was brouht onto the poynt,
His hih estat tencrece and magnefie,
The peeple anon, whan he was enoynt,
“Viuat rex!” thei began to crie.
And whan Gatholia gan this thyng espie,
For veray ire and the sodeyn wonder,
Off malencoli hir clothes kitte assonder.
His hih estat tencrece and magnefie,
The peeple anon, whan he was enoynt,
“Viuat rex!” thei began to crie.
And whan Gatholia gan this thyng espie,
For veray ire and the sodeyn wonder,
Off malencoli hir clothes kitte assonder.
Ran to the temple and gan make affray
With hir meyne, and to crie loude,
Bad hem go slen, and make no delay,
The yonge kyng, in al the haste thei coude:
Hir venym hid vnder a couert cloude,
Al attonys hir purpos to recure,
Be sodeyn malice she gan that day discure.
With hir meyne, and to crie loude,
Bad hem go slen, and make no delay,
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Hir venym hid vnder a couert cloude,
Al attonys hir purpos to recure,
Be sodeyn malice she gan that day discure.
The temple kept, entre had she non,
Peeple ordeyned awaityng for the nonys;
And or she myhte any ferthere gon,
Clenli armed, the centurionys
The cruel queen assailed al attonys.
And off hir malice to writen a short tale,
Thei slouh hir afftir off Cedron in the vale.
Peeple ordeyned awaityng for the nonys;
And or she myhte any ferthere gon,
Clenli armed, the centurionys
The cruel queen assailed al attonys.
And off hir malice to writen a short tale,
Thei slouh hir afftir off Cedron in the vale.
Loo, heer the eende off moordre and tirannye;
Loo, heer the eende off vsurpacioun;
Loo, heer the eende off fals conspiracye;
Loo, heer the eende off fals presumpcioun!
Born rihtful heires, wrongli to put hem doun.
O noble Pryncis, thouh God hath maad you strong,
To rihtful heires be war ye do no wrong!
Loo, heer the eende off vsurpacioun;
Loo, heer the eende off fals conspiracye;
Loo, heer the eende off fals presumpcioun!
Born rihtful heires, wrongli to put hem doun.
O noble Pryncis, thouh God hath maad you strong,
To rihtful heires be war ye do no wrong!
Lenvoye.
These tragedies testatis & degrees,
Fulli declareth the decepciouns
Off Fortunys fals mutabilitees
Shewed in provyncis, citees and eek touns.
Pryncis onwarli lost ther posessiouns,
Which from ther synnes, in no maner wise,—
Hadde off God warnyng, and list nat for to rise.
Fulli declareth the decepciouns
Off Fortunys fals mutabilitees
Shewed in provyncis, citees and eek touns.
Pryncis onwarli lost ther posessiouns,
Which from ther synnes, in no maner wise,—
Hadde off God warnyng, and list nat for to rise.
Mihti kynges cast doun from ther sees,
Loste ther lyues and ther regeouns,
Onwarli throwe from ther felicitees:
Ieroboam for his oppressiouns
And for his froward fals oblaciouns
Doon to ydoles, his story doth deuise,
Had off God warnyng, & list nat for to rise.
Loste ther lyues and ther regeouns,
Onwarli throwe from ther felicitees:
Ieroboam for his oppressiouns
And for his froward fals oblaciouns
Doon to ydoles, his story doth deuise,
Had off God warnyng, & list nat for to rise.
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Achab also hadde gret aduersitees
Thoruh fals counsail and exortaciouns
Off Iezabel, roote off iniquitees;
Dede to his peeple gret extorsiouns:
She slouh prophetis, Godis champiouns.
Bothe he and she, most cursid in ther guise,
Had off God warnyng, & list nat for to rise.
Thoruh fals counsail and exortaciouns
Off Iezabel, roote off iniquitees;
Dede to his peeple gret extorsiouns:
She slouh prophetis, Godis champiouns.
Bothe he and she, most cursid in ther guise,
Had off God warnyng, & list nat for to rise.
Gathalia with hir duplicitees
And conspired fals intrusiouns
Slouh Dauides seed, tentre ther dignitees,
And to possede ther domynaciouns;
But for hir hatful fals collusiouns
Onwarly slayn, for hir gret couetise,
Had off God warnyng, & list nat for to rise.
And conspired fals intrusiouns
Slouh Dauides seed, tentre ther dignitees,
And to possede ther domynaciouns;
But for hir hatful fals collusiouns
Onwarly slayn, for hir gret couetise,
Had off God warnyng, & list nat for to rise.
Pryncis remembreth in your prosperitees,
And seeth aforn in your discreciouns,
Wrong clymbyng up of statis or degrees,
Outher be moordre or be fals tresouns,
Axeth a fall for ther fynal guerdouns;
Namli off them that the Lord despise,
And for his warnyng list nat for to rise.
And seeth aforn in your discreciouns,
Wrong clymbyng up of statis or degrees,
Outher be moordre or be fals tresouns,
Axeth a fall for ther fynal guerdouns;
Namli off them that the Lord despise,
And for his warnyng list nat for to rise.
[How Dido queen of Cartage slouh hirsilf for conseruacion of hir chastite.]
Now must I putte my reud[e] stile in pres,
To queen Dido make my passage:
Hir lord Siche was preest to Hercules,
Hir fadir Belus, falle into gret age,
Kyng off Tire, and she queen off Cartage.
And it is rad in bookis that be trewe,
How first in Tire was founde purpil hewe.
To queen Dido make my passage:
Hir lord Siche was preest to Hercules,
Hir fadir Belus, falle into gret age,
Kyng off Tire, and she queen off Cartage.
And it is rad in bookis that be trewe,
How first in Tire was founde purpil hewe.
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Cadmus fond first lettres for to write,
Gaff hem to Grekis, as maad is mencioun,
Whos brother Fenix, as clerkis eek endite,
Fond first the colour off vermelioun.
And off Cartage, the famous myhti toun,
This said[e] Dido, hir story doth expresse,
How she was bothe queen and founderesse;
Gaff hem to Grekis, as maad is mencioun,
Whos brother Fenix, as clerkis eek endite,
Fond first the colour off vermelioun.
And off Cartage, the famous myhti toun,
This said[e] Dido, hir story doth expresse,
How she was bothe queen and founderesse;
But hir husbonde was cheeff lord and sire,
Callid Sicheus, ful famous off renoun,
Off this noble cite named Tire,
Hadde gret tresour & gret possessioun.
And for envie kyng Pigmalioun,
Brother to Dido, this Siche slouh in deede,
Off fals entent his richesse to posseede.
Callid Sicheus, ful famous off renoun,
Off this noble cite named Tire,
Hadde gret tresour & gret possessioun.
And for envie kyng Pigmalioun,
Brother to Dido, this Siche slouh in deede,
Off fals entent his richesse to posseede.
Dido this slauhtre took greuousli at herte,
Sore compleynyng this onhappi chaunce,
Caste she wolde, yiff she myhte asterte,
Fleen out off Tire and hirsilff auaunce,
With al the tresour and the habundaunce
Behynde lefft whan hir lord was ded,
Hir shippis entryng, went away for dreed.
Sore compleynyng this onhappi chaunce,
Caste she wolde, yiff she myhte asterte,
Fleen out off Tire and hirsilff auaunce,
With al the tresour and the habundaunce
Behynde lefft whan hir lord was ded,
Hir shippis entryng, went away for dreed.
She knew & dradde the gredi auarice
Off hir brother, kyng Pigmalioun,
And how that hatful onstaunchable vice
Was ground and roote & cheeff occasioun
Whi that hir lord was slay[e]n in that toun.
For whom ful offte she cried welaway,
Whos deth was cause whi she fledde away.
Off hir brother, kyng Pigmalioun,
And how that hatful onstaunchable vice
Was ground and roote & cheeff occasioun
Whi that hir lord was slay[e]n in that toun.
For whom ful offte she cried welaway,
Whos deth was cause whi she fledde away.
She hadde also this opynyoun,
Which caused most hir hertli heuynesse,
That sithe hir brothir, kyng Pigmalioun,
Hadde slyan hir lord for his gret richesse,
Yiff she abod, that he wolde hym dresse,
Parcel for malice, parcel for couetise,
To haue hir tresour sum tresoun to practise.
Which caused most hir hertli heuynesse,
That sithe hir brothir, kyng Pigmalioun,
Hadde slyan hir lord for his gret richesse,
Yiff she abod, that he wolde hym dresse,
Parcel for malice, parcel for couetise,
To haue hir tresour sum tresoun to practise.
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And for teschewe his malice and tresoun,
For hir nauye she maketh ordenaunce
Bauys off them, in whom, as be resoun,
She sholde off riht sette hir affiaunce.
And thei ful redy hir to do plesaunce,
Be on assent, for nothyng wolde faile,
With faire Dido out off that lond to saile.
For hir nauye she maketh ordenaunce
Bauys off them, in whom, as be resoun,
She sholde off riht sette hir affiaunce.
And thei ful redy hir to do plesaunce,
Be on assent, for nothyng wolde faile,
With faire Dido out off that lond to saile.
In Cipre first was hir arryuaile;
And ther she fond[e] be a ryuer side,
Off yong[e] maidnes, with ful riche apparaile,
Sexti and ten in the same tide,
Which in the temple off Venus dede abide,
Afftir the custom, as I can reporte,
Off Cipriens straungeris to disporte.
And ther she fond[e] be a ryuer side,
Off yong[e] maidnes, with ful riche apparaile,
Sexti and ten in the same tide,
Which in the temple off Venus dede abide,
Afftir the custom, as I can reporte,
Off Cipriens straungeris to disporte.
And in ther moste feithful humble wise,
Afftir the rihtis off Cipre the cuntre,
Onto Venus ech day do sacrefise,
Them to conserue in ther virgenyte,
Duryng ther liff to lyue in chastite,
Neuer to been ioyned in mariage;
And with queen Dido thei went to Cartage.
Afftir the rihtis off Cipre the cuntre,
Onto Venus ech day do sacrefise,
Them to conserue in ther virgenyte,
Duryng ther liff to lyue in chastite,
Neuer to been ioyned in mariage;
And with queen Dido thei went to Cartage.
In ther passage fill a gret meracle,
As Seruyus maketh mencioun;
For Dido took off Iuno this oracle,
Outher baperyng or bi auisioun,
Off Cartage to beelde that myhti toun.
And at reuerence off that gret goddesse,
She to tho parties faste gan hir dresse,
As Seruyus maketh mencioun;
For Dido took off Iuno this oracle,
Outher baperyng or bi auisioun,
Off Cartage to beelde that myhti toun.
And at reuerence off that gret goddesse,
She to tho parties faste gan hir dresse,
The said[e] cite statli for to founde.
And hir werkmen, as thei therthe souhte,
An oxes hed off auenture thei founde;
And to queen Dido anon the hed thei brouhte,
Menyng wheroff to serchyn out she thouhte.
And hir clerkis in ther dyuynaile,
Tolde it was tokne off seruage & trauaile.
And hir werkmen, as thei therthe souhte,
An oxes hed off auenture thei founde;
And to queen Dido anon the hed thei brouhte,
Menyng wheroff to serchyn out she thouhte.
And hir clerkis in ther dyuynaile,
Tolde it was tokne off seruage & trauaile.
256
For which she leffte to beeldyn [in] that place,
And gan remeue, as she ouhte off riht;
And fro then[ne]s but a litil space
A soil she fond ful delectable off siht;
And as hir werkmen with ther ful[le] myht
The ground gan serche, anon, or thei took heed,
The stori tellith, thei fond an horsis hed.
And gan remeue, as she ouhte off riht;
And fro then[ne]s but a litil space
A soil she fond ful delectable off siht;
And as hir werkmen with ther ful[le] myht
The ground gan serche, anon, or thei took heed,
The stori tellith, thei fond an horsis hed.
And bi expownyng off hir dyuynours,
Fond [that] this beeste gretli myhte auaile
Onto pryncis & myhti conquerours,
Necessarie in werre and in bataile.
And for no wiht hir noblesse sholde assaile,
Cartage she bilte, off so gret excellence,
Geyn all enmyes to stonden at diffence.
Fond [that] this beeste gretli myhte auaile
Onto pryncis & myhti conquerours,
Necessarie in werre and in bataile.
And for no wiht hir noblesse sholde assaile,
Cartage she bilte, off so gret excellence,
Geyn all enmyes to stonden at diffence.
Summe bookis declare and specefie,
Dido dede as moche lond purchace
As a skyn in round myhte ocupie
Off an oxe, theron to beelde a place;
The ground cumpasid took a large space,
Which strongli bilt, thus it is befall,
Afftir the skyn men dede it Birsa call.
Dido dede as moche lond purchace
As a skyn in round myhte ocupie
Off an oxe, theron to beelde a place;
The ground cumpasid took a large space,
Which strongli bilt, thus it is befall,
Afftir the skyn men dede it Birsa call.
And whan this cite myhtili was wallid,
Afftir a skyn, wrouht be good curray,
The name take, Carta it was callid,—
Lethir off Birsa, pleynli this no nay,
Took eek his name duryng many a day,—
Carta and Birsa knet in ther language,
As moch to seyne as this woord Cartage.
Afftir a skyn, wrouht be good curray,
The name take, Carta it was callid,—
Lethir off Birsa, pleynli this no nay,
Took eek his name duryng many a day,—
Carta and Birsa knet in ther language,
As moch to seyne as this woord Cartage.
And in Affrik stant the teritorie
Wher she bilte this cite delectable,
Founded it in laude and in memorie
Off myhti Iuno, the goddesse honourable,
The cite wallid, with tour[e]s strong & stable,
Tyme off kyng Dauid myd the fourte age,
As I seide erst, callid it Cartage.
Wher she bilte this cite delectable,
Founded it in laude and in memorie
Off myhti Iuno, the goddesse honourable,
The cite wallid, with tour[e]s strong & stable,
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As I seide erst, callid it Cartage.
With gret worshepe she regned in that toun,
Euer off purpos to lyue in chastite;
And round aboute floured the renoun
Off hir prudence and hir honeste.
Til the report off hir famous beute
Cam to the eris, which gladli wil nat hide,
Off a kyng that duellid ther beside.
Euer off purpos to lyue in chastite;
And round aboute floured the renoun
Off hir prudence and hir honeste.
Til the report off hir famous beute
Cam to the eris, which gladli wil nat hide,
Off a kyng that duellid ther beside.
Off Musitan[e]s he was lord and sire,
As poetis pleynli list descryue,
Which in his herte gretli gan desire
The queen Dido bi hir assent to wyue,
Onto hir grace yiff he myhte aryue.
But for she hadde auowed chastite,
She neuer caste maried for to be.
As poetis pleynli list descryue,
Which in his herte gretli gan desire
The queen Dido bi hir assent to wyue,
Onto hir grace yiff he myhte aryue.
But for she hadde auowed chastite,
She neuer caste maried for to be.
The kyng supprised with loue in his corage
For hir wisdam and hir gret beute,
Sent[e] for the pryncis off Cartage,
On this mater to han a gret trete,
To condescende, yiff it myhte be,
Lich his desir, in al ther beste entent,
Doon ther deuer to make hir to consent.
For hir wisdam and hir gret beute,
Sent[e] for the pryncis off Cartage,
On this mater to han a gret trete,
To condescende, yiff it myhte be,
Lich his desir, in al ther beste entent,
Doon ther deuer to make hir to consent.
With his request he gan hem eek manace,
Yiff he failed off his entencioun,
Lik his desir to stonden in hir grace,
Saide he wolde been enmy to ther toun,
Tordeyne be force for ther destruccioun.
Nat fulli sobre, nor fulli in a rage,
This was to hem pleynli his language.
Yiff he failed off his entencioun,
Lik his desir to stonden in hir grace,
Saide he wolde been enmy to ther toun,
Tordeyne be force for ther destruccioun.
Nat fulli sobre, nor fulli in a rage,
This was to hem pleynli his language.
But for thei knew hir gret[e] stedfastnesse,
And hir herte veray inmutable,
Thei were affer[e]d any woord texpresse,
Lest ther answere wer nat acceptable
To his hihnesse, for he was nat tretable.
Eek in ther conceit thei gan also recorde,
To his desir the queen wold nat accorde.
And hir herte veray inmutable,
Thei were affer[e]d any woord texpresse,
Lest ther answere wer nat acceptable
To his hihnesse, for he was nat tretable.
Eek in ther conceit thei gan also recorde,
To his desir the queen wold nat accorde.
258
With good auys an answere thei purueie
To his purpos in parti fauorable,
Afferd he wolde ther noble toun werreie,
Or off disdeyn vpon hem be vengable.
But queen Dido, in hir entent ay stable,
Caste she wolde, what-euer thei hir tolde,
Hir chast auow feithfulli to holde.
To his purpos in parti fauorable,
Afferd he wolde ther noble toun werreie,
Or off disdeyn vpon hem be vengable.
But queen Dido, in hir entent ay stable,
Caste she wolde, what-euer thei hir tolde,
Hir chast auow feithfulli to holde.
She set a-side off this cruel kyng
His fell manacis & his woordis grete;
And to hir pryncis for ther consentyng,
Which stood in feer off that he dede hem threte,
She onto hem gaff a maner hete,
For thei wer bold tattempten or tattame
To trete off mater reboundyng to hir shame.
His fell manacis & his woordis grete;
And to hir pryncis for ther consentyng,
Which stood in feer off that he dede hem threte,
She onto hem gaff a maner hete,
For thei wer bold tattempten or tattame
To trete off mater reboundyng to hir shame.
“Nay, rather deie,” quod she, “than tassente
To his desirs, which thyng God forbeede,
Or fro the centre off my chast entente
For to remeue, outher in thouht or deede,—
Which were disclaundre to al womanheede,
To condescende for any manacyng
To breke my vow for plesaunce off a kyng.
To his desirs, which thyng God forbeede,
Or fro the centre off my chast entente
For to remeue, outher in thouht or deede,—
Which were disclaundre to al womanheede,
To condescende for any manacyng
To breke my vow for plesaunce off a kyng.
Touchyng manacis maad to this cite,
For to destroie it with his gret[e] myht,
Withoute cause or title off equite
To grounden hym a quarell ageyn riht,
Onli for he is blyndid in his siht
With froward lust my chast auow tassaile,
Beth riht weel seur how he theroff shal faile.
For to destroie it with his gret[e] myht,
Withoute cause or title off equite
To grounden hym a quarell ageyn riht,
Onli for he is blyndid in his siht
With froward lust my chast auow tassaile,
Beth riht weel seur how he theroff shal faile.
Yiff ye wer bold and manli off corage,
For comoun profit your cite to defende,
And to withstonde his vicious outrage,
To trete with hym ye wold nat condescende.
But myn entent, platli to comprehende,
Wher it to you be ioie or displesaunce,
In my promys shal be no variaunce.
For comoun profit your cite to defende,
And to withstonde his vicious outrage,
To trete with hym ye wold nat condescende.
But myn entent, platli to comprehende,
Wher it to you be ioie or displesaunce,
In my promys shal be no variaunce.
259
My lord Sicheus, the which, alas, is ded
Onto the world[e], who[-so] list aduerte;
Trustith riht weel, for manacyng nor dreed,
That he shal neuer deien in myn herte,
Nor ye shal neuer myn auow peruerte,
Thus auysed, whil that I stonde fre,
Queen off Cartage to gouerne this cite.
Onto the world[e], who[-so] list aduerte;
Trustith riht weel, for manacyng nor dreed,
That he shal neuer deien in myn herte,
Nor ye shal neuer myn auow peruerte,
Thus auysed, whil that I stonde fre,
Queen off Cartage to gouerne this cite.
Myn hasti answere, I pray you nat disdeyne,
But that ye list to gyue me liberte,
With your support that I may atteyne
To haue a space graunted onto me:
This to meene, the space off monthes thre,
Mi lordis will taccomplissh off entent,
Which he whilom made in his testament.”
But that ye list to gyue me liberte,
With your support that I may atteyne
To haue a space graunted onto me:
This to meene, the space off monthes thre,
Mi lordis will taccomplissh off entent,
Which he whilom made in his testament.”
Vnder colour to hir auauntage
She took this space, bookis specefie,
That she myhte hir cite off Cartage
The mene while strongli fortefie
Ageyn hir enmyes, that for no slogardrie,
Off them that wolde hir hih estat confounde,
Onpurueied hir cite nat be founde.
She took this space, bookis specefie,
That she myhte hir cite off Cartage
The mene while strongli fortefie
Ageyn hir enmyes, that for no slogardrie,
Off them that wolde hir hih estat confounde,
Onpurueied hir cite nat be founde.
Whan thre monthes passed were & gon,
She afftir wolde, for hir hertli plesaunce,
With sundri rihtes, many mo than on,
To all hir goddis doon sum obseruaunce,
For a special synguler remembraunce
Off hym that was, as folk shal vnderstonde,
Whilom hir lord & best beloued husbonde.
She afftir wolde, for hir hertli plesaunce,
With sundri rihtes, many mo than on,
To all hir goddis doon sum obseruaunce,
For a special synguler remembraunce
Off hym that was, as folk shal vnderstonde,
Whilom hir lord & best beloued husbonde.
And mor texalte his glorie & his honour,
Heeld his exequies, be due reuerence,
Off al Cartage in the hiest tour,
With brennyng fir, fumys and encence,
Hir pryncis all beyng in presence;
To which she gan declare in compleynyng,
Hir dedli sorwe, doun from hir tour lokyng.
Heeld his exequies, be due reuerence,
Off al Cartage in the hiest tour,
With brennyng fir, fumys and encence,
Hir pryncis all beyng in presence;
To which she gan declare in compleynyng,
Hir dedli sorwe, doun from hir tour lokyng.
260
“Farweel my freendis, farweel for euermore!
Onto my lord myn husbonde I mut gon,
To hym, I meene, that was my lord off yore:
For off husbondis, God wot, I ha[ue] but on;
Praieng you to reporte euerichon
Afftir my deth, [how] Dido off Cartage
I-ioyned was but onys in mariage.
Onto my lord myn husbonde I mut gon,
To hym, I meene, that was my lord off yore:
For off husbondis, God wot, I ha[ue] but on;
Praieng you to reporte euerichon
Afftir my deth, [how] Dido off Cartage
I-ioyned was but onys in mariage.
Seith to the kyng, which hath you manacid,
Mi chast[e] beute that he wolde assaile,—
Go, tellith hym how that I am pacid,
And off his purpos how that he shal faile.
His manacyng shal hym nat auaile.
And seith how Dido deied for the nonys,
For she nat wolde be weddid mor than onys.
Mi chast[e] beute that he wolde assaile,—
Go, tellith hym how that I am pacid,
And off his purpos how that he shal faile.
His manacyng shal hym nat auaile.
And seith how Dido deied for the nonys,
For she nat wolde be weddid mor than onys.
Leuere I haue my liff as now to lese,
Rathere than soile my widwes chastite.
Lat hym go ferthere, sum other for to chese;
For in such cas he shal nat speede off me.
And with the tresour off myn honeste,
Which I ha[ue] treuli obserued al my lyue,
I will departe out off this world now blyue.”
Rathere than soile my widwes chastite.
Lat hym go ferthere, sum other for to chese;
For in such cas he shal nat speede off me.
And with the tresour off myn honeste,
Which I ha[ue] treuli obserued al my lyue,
I will departe out off this world now blyue.”
And into fir, that brente cleer and briht,
She ran in haste, there is no mor to seyne,
Sauff with a knyff in euery manys siht
Ful sodenli she roff hir herte on tweyne.
Whos pitous deth the cite gan compleyne,
Sore wepyng for wonder and for routhe,
In a woman to fynde so gret a trouthe.
She ran in haste, there is no mor to seyne,
Sauff with a knyff in euery manys siht
Ful sodenli she roff hir herte on tweyne.
Whos pitous deth the cite gan compleyne,
Sore wepyng for wonder and for routhe,
In a woman to fynde so gret a trouthe.
Afftir hir deth thei dede ther besynesse
To holde and halwe a feste funerall;
Worsheped hir lik a chast goddesse,
And hir comendyn[g] in especiall
To heuenli goddis, & goddis infernall.
And widwes all[e], in ther clothes blake,
At this feste weptyn for hir sake.
To holde and halwe a feste funerall;
Worsheped hir lik a chast goddesse,
And hir comendyn[g] in especiall
To heuenli goddis, & goddis infernall.
And widwes all[e], in ther clothes blake,
At this feste weptyn for hir sake.
261
Touchyng Dido lat ther be no striff:
Thouh that she be accusid off Ouide,
Afftir Bochas I wrot hir chast[e] liff,
And the contrary I ha[ue] set a-side;
For me thouhte it was bet tabide
On hir goodnesse, than thyng reherse in deede,
Which myhte resowne ageyn hir womanheede.
Thouh that she be accusid off Ouide,
Afftir Bochas I wrot hir chast[e] liff,
And the contrary I ha[ue] set a-side;
For me thouhte it was bet tabide
On hir goodnesse, than thyng reherse in deede,
Which myhte resowne ageyn hir womanheede.
To Eneas thouh she was fauourable,
To Ytaile makyng his passage,
Al that she dede, [it] was comendable,
Hym to receyue comyng be Cartage;
Thouh sum folk wern large off ther language,
Amysse texpowne be report, or texpresse
Thyng doon to hym onli off gentilesse.
To Ytaile makyng his passage,
Al that she dede, [it] was comendable,
Hym to receyue comyng be Cartage;
Thouh sum folk wern large off ther language,
Amysse texpowne be report, or texpresse
Thyng doon to hym onli off gentilesse.
Ther shal for me be maad no rehersaile
But as I fynde wretyn in Bochas;
For to sey weel may moch[e] more auaile
Than froward speche, in many dyuers cas.
But al Cartage offte seide alas,
Hir deth compleynyng thoruhout ther cite,
Which slouh hirselff tobserue hir chastite.
But as I fynde wretyn in Bochas;
For to sey weel may moch[e] more auaile
Than froward speche, in many dyuers cas.
But al Cartage offte seide alas,
Hir deth compleynyng thoruhout ther cite,
Which slouh hirselff tobserue hir chastite.
[Lenvoy.]
O fair[e] Dido, most stable in thi constaunce,
Queen of Cartage, merour off hih noblesse,
Regnyng in glorie & vertuous habundaunce,
Callid in thi tyme cheeff sours off gentilesse,
In whom was neuer founde doubilnesse,
Ay off on herte; and so thou dedest fyne,
With liht off trouthe alle widwes tenlumyne.
Queen of Cartage, merour off hih noblesse,
Regnyng in glorie & vertuous habundaunce,
Callid in thi tyme cheeff sours off gentilesse,
In whom was neuer founde doubilnesse,
Ay off on herte; and so thou dedest fyne,
With liht off trouthe alle widwes tenlumyne.
Chast and onchaungid in thi perseueraunce,
And inmutable founde in thi goodnesse,
Which neuer thouhtest vpon variaunce,
Force and prudence wardeyns off thi fairnesse,
I ha[ue] no language thi vertues to expresse,
Be newe report so cleerli thei [do] shyne;
With liht off trouthe alle widwes tenlumyne.
And inmutable founde in thi goodnesse,
Which neuer thouhtest vpon variaunce,
Force and prudence wardeyns off thi fairnesse,
I ha[ue] no language thi vertues to expresse,
Be newe report so cleerli thei [do] shyne;
With liht off trouthe alle widwes tenlumyne.
262
O lode-sterre off al good gouernaunce,
All vicious lustis be wisdam to represse;
Thi grene youth flouryng with al plesaunce,
Thou di[d]st it bridle with vertuous sobirnesse.
Diane demened so chastli thi clennesse,
Whil thou wer soul[e], pleynli to termyne,
With liht off trouthe alle widwes tenlumyne.
All vicious lustis be wisdam to represse;
Thi grene youth flouryng with al plesaunce,
Thou di[d]st it bridle with vertuous sobirnesse.
Diane demened so chastli thi clennesse,
Whil thou wer soul[e], pleynli to termyne,
With liht off trouthe alle widwes tenlumyne.
Thi famous bounte to put in remembraunce,
Thou slouh thiselff off innocent peurnesse,
Lest thi seurnesse wer hangid in ballaunce,
Off such as cast them thi chastite toppresse—
Deth was inouh to bere theroff witnesse—
Causyng thi beute to al clennesse tenclyne,
With liht off vertu alle widwes tenlumyne.
Thou slouh thiselff off innocent peurnesse,
Lest thi seurnesse wer hangid in ballaunce,
Off such as cast them thi chastite toppresse—
Deth was inouh to bere theroff witnesse—
Causyng thi beute to al clennesse tenclyne,
With liht off vertu alle widwes tenlumyne.
Lenvoye direct to wydowis of the translatour.
Noble matrones, which han al suffisaunce
Off womanhed, your wittis doth vp dresse,
How that Fortune list to turne hir chaunce,
Beth nat to rakell off sodeyn hastynesse,
But ay prouideth in your stabilnesse,
That no such foly entre your corage
To folwe Dido, that was queen off Cartage.
Off womanhed, your wittis doth vp dresse,
How that Fortune list to turne hir chaunce,
Beth nat to rakell off sodeyn hastynesse,
But ay prouideth in your stabilnesse,
That no such foly entre your corage
To folwe Dido, that was queen off Cartage.
With hir maneris hath non aqueyntaunce,
Put out off mynde such foltissh wilfulnesse:
To slen yoursilff[e] wer a gret penaunce!
God off his grace defende you and blesse,
And preserue your variant brotilnesse,
That your trouthe falle in non outrage,
To folwe Dido, that was queen off Cartage!
Put out off mynde such foltissh wilfulnesse:
To slen yoursilff[e] wer a gret penaunce!
God off his grace defende you and blesse,
And preserue your variant brotilnesse,
That your trouthe falle in non outrage,
To folwe Dido, that was queen off Cartage!
With couert colour and sobre contenaunce,
Off feithful menyng pretendith a liknesse,
Countirfetith in speche and daliaunce
Alle thynge that sowneth unto stedfastnesse;
Off prudence be gret auisenesse
Yoursilff restreyneth, yong & old off age,
To folwe Dido, that was queen off Cartage.
Off feithful menyng pretendith a liknesse,
Countirfetith in speche and daliaunce
Alle thynge that sowneth unto stedfastnesse;
263
Yoursilff restreyneth, yong & old off age,
To folwe Dido, that was queen off Cartage.
Lat al your port be void off displesaunce;
To gete freendis doth your besynesse,
And beth neuer withoute purueiaunce:
So shal ye best encresen in richesse,—
In on alone may be no sekirnesse;
To your herte beth dyuers off language,
Contraire to Dido, that was queen off Cartage.
To gete freendis doth your besynesse,
And beth neuer withoute purueiaunce:
So shal ye best encresen in richesse,—
In on alone may be no sekirnesse;
To your herte beth dyuers off language,
Contraire to Dido, that was queen off Cartage.
Hold your seruauntis vnder obeisaunce,
Lat hem nouther ha[ue] fredam nor largesse,
But vnder daunger doon ther obseruaunce.
Dauntith ther pride, them bridlyng with lownesse,
And whan the serpent off newfangilnesse
Assailith you, doth your auauntage,—
Contraire to Dido, that was queen off Cartage.
Lat hem nouther ha[ue] fredam nor largesse,
But vnder daunger doon ther obseruaunce.
Dauntith ther pride, them bridlyng with lownesse,
And whan the serpent off newfangilnesse
Assailith you, doth your auauntage,—
Contraire to Dido, that was queen off Cartage.
[How vicious Sardanapalle kyng of Assirie brent himsilff and his tresour.]
Off Assirie to rekne kynges alle
Which hadde that lond vnder subieccioun,
Last off echon was Sardanapalle,
Most femynyne off condicioun,
Wherfore Fortune hath hym throwe doun:
And compleynyng, most ougli off maneere,
Next afftir Dido to Bochas dede appeere.
Which hadde that lond vnder subieccioun,
Last off echon was Sardanapalle,
Most femynyne off condicioun,
Wherfore Fortune hath hym throwe doun:
And compleynyng, most ougli off maneere,
Next afftir Dido to Bochas dede appeere.
To vicious lust his liff he dede enclyne;
Mong Assiriens, whan he his regne gan,
Off fals vsage he was so femynyne,
That among women vppon the rokke he span,
In ther habite disguisid from a man.
And off froward flesshli insolence,
Off alle men he fledde the presence.
Mong Assiriens, whan he his regne gan,
Off fals vsage he was so femynyne,
That among women vppon the rokke he span,
In ther habite disguisid from a man.
And off froward flesshli insolence,
Off alle men he fledde the presence.
First this kyng ches to been his guide
Moodir off vices, callid idilnesse,
Which off custum ech vertu set aside
In ech acourt wher she is maistresse.
Off sorwe & myscheeff the firste founderesse,
Which causid onli this Sardanapall,
That to al goodnesse his wittis dede appall.
Moodir off vices, callid idilnesse,
Which off custum ech vertu set aside
264
Off sorwe & myscheeff the firste founderesse,
Which causid onli this Sardanapall,
That to al goodnesse his wittis dede appall.
He fond up first ryot and drunk[e]nesse,
Callid a fadir off lust and lecherie;
Hatful off herte he was to sobirnesse,
Cherishyng surfetis, wach and glotonye,
Callid in his tyme a prynce off baudrie,
Fond rere soperis and fether beddis soffte,
Drynke late, and chaunge his wynes offte.
Callid a fadir off lust and lecherie;
Hatful off herte he was to sobirnesse,
Cherishyng surfetis, wach and glotonye,
Callid in his tyme a prynce off baudrie,
Fond rere soperis and fether beddis soffte,
Drynke late, and chaunge his wynes offte.
The air off metis and off baudi cookis,
Which off custum alday roste and seede,
Sauour off spetis, ladlis & flesshhookis
He loued weel, and took off hem gret heede.
And folk that drank[e] mor than it was neede,
Smellyng off wyn for ther gret excesse,
With hem tabide was hooli his gladnesse.
Which off custum alday roste and seede,
Sauour off spetis, ladlis & flesshhookis
He loued weel, and took off hem gret heede.
And folk that drank[e] mor than it was neede,
Smellyng off wyn for ther gret excesse,
With hem tabide was hooli his gladnesse.
He thouhte also that it dede hym good
To haue aboute hym, ageyn skele and riht,
Boistous bocheris, al bespreynt with blood,
And watry fissheris abood euer in his siht,
Ther kootis poudrid with scales siluer-briht:
Dempte ther odour, duryng al his liff,
Was to his corage best preseruatiff.
To haue aboute hym, ageyn skele and riht,
Boistous bocheris, al bespreynt with blood,
And watry fissheris abood euer in his siht,
Ther kootis poudrid with scales siluer-briht:
Dempte ther odour, duryng al his liff,
Was to his corage best preseruatiff.
For ther nas herbe, spice, gras ne roote
To hym so lusti, as was the bordelhous,
Nor gardeyn non so holsum nor so soote
To his plesaunce nor so delicious,
As the presence off folkis lecherous;
And euer glad to speke off ribaudie,
And folk cherisshe that koude flatre & lie.
To hym so lusti, as was the bordelhous,
Nor gardeyn non so holsum nor so soote
To his plesaunce nor so delicious,
As the presence off folkis lecherous;
And euer glad to speke off ribaudie,
And folk cherisshe that koude flatre & lie.
Til at the laste God off veray riht
Displesid was with his condiciouns,
Because he was in euery manys siht
So femynyne in his affecciouns,
And hooli gaff his inclynaciouns
Duryng his liff to eueri vicious thyng,
Terrible to heere, a[nd] namli off a kyng.
Displesid was with his condiciouns,
Because he was in euery manys siht
265
And hooli gaff his inclynaciouns
Duryng his liff to eueri vicious thyng,
Terrible to heere, a[nd] namli off a kyng.
But, as Bochas list to putte in mynde,
Whan Arbachus, a prynce off gret renoun,
Sauh off this kyng the flesshli lustis blynde,
Made with the peeple off that regeoun
Ageyn[e]s hym a coniuracioun,
And to hym sente, for his mysgouernaunce,
Off hih disdeyn a ful pleyn diffiaunce.
Whan Arbachus, a prynce off gret renoun,
Sauh off this kyng the flesshli lustis blynde,
Made with the peeple off that regeoun
Ageyn[e]s hym a coniuracioun,
And to hym sente, for his mysgouernaunce,
Off hih disdeyn a ful pleyn diffiaunce.
Bad hym be war, & proudli to hym tolde,
That he hym caste his vicious liff tassaile,
And in al haste, also, that he wolde
Withynne a feeld[e] meete hym in bataile.
Wheroff astonyd, his herte gan to faile,
Wher among women he sat & made gaudes,
No wiht aboute but flatereres and baudes.
That he hym caste his vicious liff tassaile,
And in al haste, also, that he wolde
Withynne a feeld[e] meete hym in bataile.
Wheroff astonyd, his herte gan to faile,
Wher among women he sat & made gaudes,
No wiht aboute but flatereres and baudes.
And vp he ros, & gan hymsilff auaunce,
No stuff aboute hym but sergauntis riotous;
Took the feeld withoute gouernaunce,
No men off armys but folkis vicious,
Whos aduersarie, callid Arbachus,
Made hym proudli the feeld to forsake,
That lik a coward his castell he hath take.
No stuff aboute hym but sergauntis riotous;
Took the feeld withoute gouernaunce,
No men off armys but folkis vicious,
Whos aduersarie, callid Arbachus,
Made hym proudli the feeld to forsake,
That lik a coward his castell he hath take.
And for his herte frowardli gan faile,
Nat lik a knyht, but lik a losengour,
His riche perre, his roial apparaile,
His gold, his ieweles, vesseles & tresour
Was brouht aforn hym doun [out] off a tour,
Mid off his paleis, & gaff his men in charge
Off cole and fagot to make a fir ful large.
Nat lik a knyht, but lik a losengour,
His riche perre, his roial apparaile,
His gold, his ieweles, vesseles & tresour
Was brouht aforn hym doun [out] off a tour,
Mid off his paleis, & gaff his men in charge
Off cole and fagot to make a fir ful large.
In which he caste his tresour and ieweles,
Mor bestial than lik a manli man;
And myd his riche stonys and vesseles,
Into the fir furiousli he ran.
This tryumphe Sardanapallus wan,
With fir consumyd for his fynal meede,
Brent al to asshes among the coles rede.
Mor bestial than lik a manli man;
And myd his riche stonys and vesseles,
Into the fir furiousli he ran.
This tryumphe Sardanapallus wan,
With fir consumyd for his fynal meede,
Brent al to asshes among the coles rede.
266
Toforn his deth[e] bad men sholde write
Vpon his graue, the book doth certefie,
With lettres large, this resoun for tendite:
“Mi cursid liff, my froward glotenye,
Myn idilnesse, myn hatful lecherye,
Han causid me, with many fals desir,
My laste daies to be consumpt with fir.”
Vpon his graue, the book doth certefie,
With lettres large, this resoun for tendite:
“Mi cursid liff, my froward glotenye,
Myn idilnesse, myn hatful lecherye,
Han causid me, with many fals desir,
My laste daies to be consumpt with fir.”
This epitaffe on his graue he sette,
To shewe how he was in al his lyue
Besi euer to hyndren and to lette
Al maner vertu, & therageyn to stryue.
Who folweth his tras is neuer lik to thryue,
For which, ye Pryncis, seeth for your auail,
Vengaunce ay folweth vices at the tail.
To shewe how he was in al his lyue
Besi euer to hyndren and to lette
Al maner vertu, & therageyn to stryue.
Who folweth his tras is neuer lik to thryue,
For which, ye Pryncis, seeth for your auail,
Vengaunce ay folweth vices at the tail.
A comendacion of Bochas of vertuous besines rehersing names fondours of diuers sciencis & cunnyngis in reprefe of Idilnes.
Ther wer eek other, þat list falsli prouide
Fals flesshli lustis & dissoluciouns,
Riot, outrage, froward disdeyn & pride,
Vices tenhaunce in ther affecciouns
With many onlefful croked condiciouns,
Resoun auoidyng, as I reherse shall,
Themsilff delityng for to be bestiall.
Fals flesshli lustis & dissoluciouns,
Riot, outrage, froward disdeyn & pride,
Vices tenhaunce in ther affecciouns
With many onlefful croked condiciouns,
Resoun auoidyng, as I reherse shall,
Themsilff delityng for to be bestiall.
Tweyne maner folkis to putte in remembraunce,
Off vice and vertu, and sette a difference:
The goode alway han set ther plesaunce
In vertuous labour to doon ther deligence;
And vicious peeple in slouthe & necligence.
And the report off bothen is reserued,
With laude or lak, as thei han disserued.
Off vice and vertu, and sette a difference:
The goode alway han set ther plesaunce
In vertuous labour to doon ther deligence;
And vicious peeple in slouthe & necligence.
And the report off bothen is reserued,
With laude or lak, as thei han disserued.
Men muste off riht the vertuous preferre,
And treuli preise labour and besynesse;
And ageynward, dispreisen folk that erre,
Which ha[ue] no ioie but in idilnesse.
And to compare bamaner off witnesse,
Vertuous folk I will to mynde call
In rebukyng off kyng Sardanapall.
And treuli preise labour and besynesse;
And ageynward, dispreisen folk that erre,
Which ha[ue] no ioie but in idilnesse.
And to compare bamaner off witnesse,
Vertuous folk I will to mynde call
In rebukyng off kyng Sardanapall.
267
The olde wise, callid Pictagoras,
Be soun off hameris, auctours certefie,
Exaumple took[e], and cheeff maister was
That fond out first musik and melodie.
Yit off Tubal summe bookis specefie,
That he be strok of smethis where thei stood,
Fond first out musik tofor Noes flood.
Be soun off hameris, auctours certefie,
Exaumple took[e], and cheeff maister was
That fond out first musik and melodie.
Yit off Tubal summe bookis specefie,
That he be strok of smethis where thei stood,
Fond first out musik tofor Noes flood.
And Iosephus remembreth be scripture,
That this Tubal koude forge weel,
First ymagyned makyng off armure
With instrumentis off iren and off steel,
And ther temprures he fond out euerideel.
Lucyus Tarquyn, in stori as I fynde,
Fond cheynes first, folk to fetryn & bynde.
That this Tubal koude forge weel,
First ymagyned makyng off armure
With instrumentis off iren and off steel,
And ther temprures he fond out euerideel.
Lucyus Tarquyn, in stori as I fynde,
Fond cheynes first, folk to fetryn & bynde.
The childre off Seth, in story ye mai see,
Flouryng in vertu be long successiouns,
For to profite to ther posterite,
Fond first the crafft off heuenli mociouns,
Off sondri sterris the reuoluciouns;
Bequath ther cunnyng, off gret auauntage,
To them that afftir cam off ther lynage.
Flouryng in vertu be long successiouns,
For to profite to ther posterite,
Fond first the crafft off heuenli mociouns,
Off sondri sterris the reuoluciouns;
Bequath ther cunnyng, off gret auauntage,
To them that afftir cam off ther lynage.
For ther vertu God gaff hem gret cunnyng,
Touchyng natures bothe off erthe & heuene,
And it remembrid sothli be writyng,
To lasten ay for water or for leuene.
Generaciouns ther wer off hem seuene,
Which for vertu, withoute werre or striff,
Trauailed in cunnyng duryng al ther liff.
Touchyng natures bothe off erthe & heuene,
And it remembrid sothli be writyng,
To lasten ay for water or for leuene.
Generaciouns ther wer off hem seuene,
Which for vertu, withoute werre or striff,
Trauailed in cunnyng duryng al ther liff.
And for that Adam dede prophesie,
Twies the world destroied sholde be,
With water onys stonde in iupartie,
Next with fir, which no man myht[e] fle:
But Sethis childre, as thei dede see,
Made too peleris wher men myhte graue,
Fro fir & watir the carectis for to saue.
Twies the world destroied sholde be,
With water onys stonde in iupartie,
Next with fir, which no man myht[e] fle:
But Sethis childre, as thei dede see,
Made too peleris wher men myhte graue,
Fro fir & watir the carectis for to saue.
The ton was maad off tilis hard ibake,
Fro touch off fir to saue the scripture;
Off hard marbil thei dede a-nother make,
Ageyn[es] water strongli to endure,
To saue off letris the preent & the figure:
For ther cunnyng afforn gan so prouide,
Geyn fir & watir perpetueli tabide.
Fro touch off fir to saue the scripture;
Off hard marbil thei dede a-nother make,
Ageyn[es] water strongli to endure,
268
For ther cunnyng afforn gan so prouide,
Geyn fir & watir perpetueli tabide.
Thei dempte ther cunnyng hadde be in veyn,
But folk with them hadde be partable;
And for ther labour sholde afftirward be seyn,
Thei it remembrid be writyng ful notable:
Onto-for God a thyng ful comendable,
To them that folwe, be scripture or writyng
Or that men deie departe ther cunnyng.
But folk with them hadde be partable;
And for ther labour sholde afftirward be seyn,
Thei it remembrid be writyng ful notable:
Onto-for God a thyng ful comendable,
To them that folwe, be scripture or writyng
Or that men deie departe ther cunnyng.
For be old tyme folk dyuers crafftis founde
In sundri wise for ocupacioun;
Vertu to cherisshe, vices to confounde,
Ther witt thei sette & ther entencioun
To putte ther labour in execucioun,
And to outrage, this is veray trouthe,
Fro manys liff necligence & slouthe.
In sundri wise for ocupacioun;
Vertu to cherisshe, vices to confounde,
Ther witt thei sette & ther entencioun
To putte ther labour in execucioun,
And to outrage, this is veray trouthe,
Fro manys liff necligence & slouthe.
Olde Ennok, ful famous off vertu,
Duryng that age fond first off euerichon
Thoruh his prudence lettres off Hebreu;
And in a piler thei wer kept off ston,
Til that the flood off Noe was agon.
And afftir hym, Cam was the secounde
Bi whom off Hebreu lettres wer first founde.
Duryng that age fond first off euerichon
Thoruh his prudence lettres off Hebreu;
And in a piler thei wer kept off ston,
Til that the flood off Noe was agon.
And afftir hym, Cam was the secounde
Bi whom off Hebreu lettres wer first founde.
And Catacrismus the firste was that fond
Lettres also, as off that language.
But lettres wreten with Godis owne hond
Moyses first took, most briht off his visage,
Vpon Syna as he heeld his passage,
Which off carectis & namys in sentence
From other writyng hadde a difference.
Lettres also, as off that language.
But lettres wreten with Godis owne hond
Moyses first took, most briht off his visage,
Vpon Syna as he heeld his passage,
Which off carectis & namys in sentence
From other writyng hadde a difference.
Eek afftirward, as other bookis tell,
And Seyn[t] Ierom rehersith in his stile,
Vnder thempire off Zorobabell,
Esdras off Hebreu gan lettres first compile;
And Abraham, gon sithen a gret while,
The firste was, in bookis men may see,
That fond lettres off Cire & off Caldee.
And Seyn[t] Ierom rehersith in his stile,
Vnder thempire off Zorobabell,
Esdras off Hebreu gan lettres first compile;
And Abraham, gon sithen a gret while,
The firste was, in bookis men may see,
That fond lettres off Cire & off Caldee.
269
Ysis in Egipt fond dyuersite
Off sundri lettres, parted into tweyne:
First for preestis, and for the comounte
Vulgar lettres he dede also ordeyne.
And Fenyces dede ther besy peyne
Lettres off Greek to fynde in ther entent,
Which that Cadmus first into Grece sent,
Off sundri lettres, parted into tweyne:
First for preestis, and for the comounte
Vulgar lettres he dede also ordeyne.
And Fenyces dede ther besy peyne
Lettres off Greek to fynde in ther entent,
Which that Cadmus first into Grece sent,
Which in noumbre fulli wer seuenteene;
Whan off Troye was endid the bataile,
Pallamydes, ther language to susteene,
Put thre therto, which gretli dede auaile.
Pidagorus, for prudent gouernaile,
Fond first out Y, a figur to discerne
The liff heer short and liff that is eterne.
Whan off Troye was endid the bataile,
Pallamydes, ther language to susteene,
Put thre therto, which gretli dede auaile.
Pidagorus, for prudent gouernaile,
Fond first out Y, a figur to discerne
The liff heer short and liff that is eterne.
First Latyn lettres off our A. B. C.,
Carmentis fond, off ful hih prudence.
Grete Omerus, in Isidre ye may see,
Fond among Grekis crafft off eloquence.
First in Rome, be souereyn excellence,
Off rethorik Tullius fond the flours,
Ple and diffence off subtil oratours.
Carmentis fond, off ful hih prudence.
Grete Omerus, in Isidre ye may see,
Fond among Grekis crafft off eloquence.
First in Rome, be souereyn excellence,
Off rethorik Tullius fond the flours,
Ple and diffence off subtil oratours.
Callicrates, a grauer most notable,
Off whiht yuor dede his besynesse,
His hand, his eye so iust wer & so stable,
Off an ampte to graue out the liknesse,
Vpon the ground as Nature doth hym dresse.
This crafft he fond, as Sardanapall
Fond idilnesse mooder to vices all.
Off whiht yuor dede his besynesse,
His hand, his eye so iust wer & so stable,
Off an ampte to graue out the liknesse,
Vpon the ground as Nature doth hym dresse.
This crafft he fond, as Sardanapall
Fond idilnesse mooder to vices all.
Off a screueyn Bochas maketh mencioun,
How in a scrowe off litil quantite
Wrot off al Troie the destruccioun,
Folwyng Omerus be gret subtilite:
Which among Grekis is had in gret deynte,
Because he was founde in his writyng,
So compendious the story rehersyng.
How in a scrowe off litil quantite
Wrot off al Troie the destruccioun,
Folwyng Omerus be gret subtilite:
Which among Grekis is had in gret deynte,
Because he was founde in his writyng,
So compendious the story rehersyng.
270
Mirmecides made a char also
And a smal shipp, with al the apparaile,
So that a bee myhte close hem bothe too
Vnder his weengis, which is a gret meruaile—
And nothyng seyn off al the hool entaile:
This crafft he fond off vertuous besynesse
Teschewe the vice off froward idilnesse.
And a smal shipp, with al the apparaile,
So that a bee myhte close hem bothe too
Vnder his weengis, which is a gret meruaile—
And nothyng seyn off al the hool entaile:
This crafft he fond off vertuous besynesse
Teschewe the vice off froward idilnesse.
Pan, god off Kynde, with his pipes seuene,
Off recorderis fond first the melodies.
And Mercurie, that sit so hih in heuene,
First in his harpe fond sugred armonyes.
Holsum wynes thoruhfyned from ther lyes
Bachus fond first, of vynes heuy lade,
Licour off licours corages for to glade.
Off recorderis fond first the melodies.
And Mercurie, that sit so hih in heuene,
First in his harpe fond sugred armonyes.
Holsum wynes thoruhfyned from ther lyes
Bachus fond first, of vynes heuy lade,
Licour off licours corages for to glade.
Perdix be cumpas fond triangle and lyne,
And Euclid first fond geometrie,
And Phebus fond the crafft off medicyne.
Albumasar [first] fond astronomye;
And Mynerua gan charis first to guye.
Iason first sailed, in story it is told,
Toward Colchos to wynne the Flees off Gold.
And Euclid first fond geometrie,
And Phebus fond the crafft off medicyne.
Albumasar [first] fond astronomye;
And Mynerua gan charis first to guye.
Iason first sailed, in story it is told,
Toward Colchos to wynne the Flees off Gold.
Ceres the goddesse fond first tilthe off lond;
Dionisius tryumphes transitorie.
And Bellona be force first out fond
Conquest be knyhthod, & in the feeld victorie.
And Martis sone, as put is in memorie,
Callid Etholus, fond speris sharp & keene,
To renne a werre in platis briht and sheene.
Dionisius tryumphes transitorie.
And Bellona be force first out fond
Conquest be knyhthod, & in the feeld victorie.
And Martis sone, as put is in memorie,
Callid Etholus, fond speris sharp & keene,
To renne a werre in platis briht and sheene.
Eek Aristeus fond out the vsage
Off mylk & cruddis, & off hony soote.
Piroides, for gret auauntage,
Fro flyntes smet fir daryng in the roote.
And Pallas, which that may to cold do boote,
Fond out weuyng, this is veray soth,
Thoruh hir prudence, off al maner cloth.
Off mylk & cruddis, & off hony soote.
Piroides, for gret auauntage,
Fro flyntes smet fir daryng in the roote.
And Pallas, which that may to cold do boote,
Fond out weuyng, this is veray soth,
Thoruh hir prudence, off al maner cloth.
271
And Fido first fond out the science
Off mesours and off proporciouns,
And for marchantis dede his deligence
To fynde ballaunces be iust dyuysiouns,
Tauoide al fraude in citees & in touns
On outher parti, pleynli to compile,
Off trewe weihte that ther wer no gile.
Off mesours and off proporciouns,
And for marchantis dede his deligence
To fynde ballaunces be iust dyuysiouns,
Tauoide al fraude in citees & in touns
On outher parti, pleynli to compile,
Off trewe weihte that ther wer no gile.
Compare in ordre cleerli all these thynges
Founde off old tyme be deligent trauaile,
To the plesaunce off pryncis & off kynges,
To shewe how moch[e] cunnyng may auaile,
And weie ageynward the froward aquitaile,
Contrariousli how Sardanapalle
Fond idilnesse mooder off vices alle.
Founde off old tyme be deligent trauaile,
To the plesaunce off pryncis & off kynges,
To shewe how moch[e] cunnyng may auaile,
And weie ageynward the froward aquitaile,
Contrariousli how Sardanapalle
Fond idilnesse mooder off vices alle.
Lat pryncis alle heeroff taken heed,
What auaileth vertuous besynesse,
And what damage the reuers doth in deed,
Vicious liff, slouthe and idilnesse;
And these exaumples lat hem eek inpresse
Amyd ther herte, and how Sardanapalle
Fond idilnesse mooder off vices alle.
What auaileth vertuous besynesse,
And what damage the reuers doth in deed,
Vicious liff, slouthe and idilnesse;
And these exaumples lat hem eek inpresse
Amyd ther herte, and how Sardanapalle
Fond idilnesse mooder off vices alle.
[Lenvoy.]
Noble Pryncis, heer ye may weel see
As in a merour, off ful cleer euydence,
Be many exaumple mo than too or thre,
What harm folweth off slouthe & necligence,
Deepe enprentyng in your aduertence,
How gret hyndryng doth wilful frowardnesse
To your estat thoruh vicious idilnesse.
As in a merour, off ful cleer euydence,
Be many exaumple mo than too or thre,
What harm folweth off slouthe & necligence,
Deepe enprentyng in your aduertence,
How gret hyndryng doth wilful frowardnesse
To your estat thoruh vicious idilnesse.
Whan resoun faileth, and sensualite
Holdeth the bridel off lecherous insolence,
And sobirnesse hath lost his liberte,
And to fals lust is doon the reuerence,
And vice off vertu hath an apparence,—
Misledith pryncis off wilful reklesnesse
To gret errour off froward idilnesse.
Holdeth the bridel off lecherous insolence,
And sobirnesse hath lost his liberte,
And to fals lust is doon the reuerence,
And vice off vertu hath an apparence,—
Misledith pryncis off wilful reklesnesse
To gret errour off froward idilnesse.
272
Ther may to slouthe non other guerdoun be,
Nor non other condigne recompense,
But sorwe, myscheeff and aduersite,
Sodeyn vengaunce and onwar violence,
Whan ye be froward in your magnyficence
To knowe the Lord and bowe be meeknesse
Tobeie his preceptis and eschewe idilnesse.
Nor non other condigne recompense,
But sorwe, myscheeff and aduersite,
Sodeyn vengaunce and onwar violence,
Whan ye be froward in your magnyficence
To knowe the Lord and bowe be meeknesse
Tobeie his preceptis and eschewe idilnesse.
[How Amazias in Iuda kyng for pride and presumpcioun was venquysshed in bataile & aftir slayn.]
In his studi as Bochas sat musyng,
With many vnkouth soleyn fantasie,
To hym appered many a myhti kyng;
And toforn alle cam worthi Amazie,
His sone also, that callid was Iosie,
Off Dauidis blood descendyng, as I reede,
Ech afftir othir in Iuda to succeede.
With many vnkouth soleyn fantasie,
To hym appered many a myhti kyng;
And toforn alle cam worthi Amazie,
His sone also, that callid was Iosie,
Off Dauidis blood descendyng, as I reede,
Ech afftir othir in Iuda to succeede.
First Amazias compleyned on Fortune,
Causyng his greuous gret aduersites,
The traitouresse callid in comune,
These kynges tweyne castyng from ther sees;
Whos ouerturnyng from ther dignites,
Onwar fallyng, dreedful and terible,
Been ceriousli remembrid in the Bible.
Causyng his greuous gret aduersites,
The traitouresse callid in comune,
These kynges tweyne castyng from ther sees;
Whos ouerturnyng from ther dignites,
Onwar fallyng, dreedful and terible,
Been ceriousli remembrid in the Bible.
Ther pitous eende men may ther reede & see,
How Fortune ther fatis dede entrete.
Wherfore teschewe & fleen prolixite,
Al tedious thyng in this processe to lete,
And in substaunce to glenen out the grete,
Off ther fallyng I purpose nat to spare
Compendiousli the causes to declare.
How Fortune ther fatis dede entrete.
Wherfore teschewe & fleen prolixite,
Al tedious thyng in this processe to lete,
And in substaunce to glenen out the grete,
Off ther fallyng I purpose nat to spare
Compendiousli the causes to declare.
This Amazias hauyng gouernaunce
Be ful iust title off successioun,
The sceptre off Iuda, with al the hool puissaunce,
Ful pesibli in his possessioun,
Til that pride and fals presumpcioun
Most frowardli dede his herte enbrace,
Which al attonys made hym lose his grace.
Be ful iust title off successioun,
The sceptre off Iuda, with al the hool puissaunce,
273
Til that pride and fals presumpcioun
Most frowardli dede his herte enbrace,
Which al attonys made hym lose his grace.
In herte he hadde a maner veynglorie,
Because that God made hym to preuaile
In his conquest and to have victorie,
Amalechitis to venquysshe in bataile,
Eek Gabanytis, as he them dede assaile,
Purposyng[e] afftir, yiff he myhte,
With Israelitis off pride for to fyhte.
Because that God made hym to preuaile
In his conquest and to have victorie,
Amalechitis to venquysshe in bataile,
Eek Gabanytis, as he them dede assaile,
Purposyng[e] afftir, yiff he myhte,
With Israelitis off pride for to fyhte.
Onto kyng Ioas off Israel he sente,
Hym comaundyng to obeien his biddyng,
And be lik subiect, as wern in ther entente,
His predecessours in al maner thyng,
Whilom to Dauid, the noble worthi kyng.
This was his sonde to Ioas, plat and pleyn,
Which bi a problem thus wrot to hym ageyn:
Hym comaundyng to obeien his biddyng,
And be lik subiect, as wern in ther entente,
His predecessours in al maner thyng,
Whilom to Dauid, the noble worthi kyng.
This was his sonde to Ioas, plat and pleyn,
Which bi a problem thus wrot to hym ageyn:
“The ougli thistil off the valis lowe,
Proudli presumyng aboue[n] his degre,
To make his pride openli be knowe,
Sent his message to the cedre tre,
That his sone myhte weddid be
To his douhter; al-thouh in substaunce
Atwen hem too was a gret discordaunce.
Proudli presumyng aboue[n] his degre,
To make his pride openli be knowe,
Sent his message to the cedre tre,
That his sone myhte weddid be
To his douhter; al-thouh in substaunce
Atwen hem too was a gret discordaunce.
But off the forest the beestis sauagyne
In ther corages hadde theroff disdeyn.
Alle off assent fersli dede enclyne
The thistel leuys abrod vpon the pleyn,
That ther was nouther leff nor prikke seyn.”
This was the problem, which Ioas be writyng
Sent in a pistil to Amazie the kyng.
In ther corages hadde theroff disdeyn.
Alle off assent fersli dede enclyne
The thistel leuys abrod vpon the pleyn,
That ther was nouther leff nor prikke seyn.”
This was the problem, which Ioas be writyng
Sent in a pistil to Amazie the kyng.
But Iosephus in his origynal,
The said epistil, as he doth expresse,
Seith off the vale how the pouder smal
Off pride sente to the hih cipresse,
That his douhter, off excellent fairnesse,
Onto his sone, pleynli to descryue,
Myhte be delyuered & hauen hir to wyue.
The said epistil, as he doth expresse,
Seith off the vale how the pouder smal
Off pride sente to the hih cipresse,
That his douhter, off excellent fairnesse,
Onto his sone, pleynli to descryue,
Myhte be delyuered & hauen hir to wyue.
274
But a fell beeste, which that beside stood,
Off cruel ire and indignacioun,
With feet disdeynyng the pouder caste abrod
Hih in the air aboute hym enviroun.
The which exaumple conceyued off resoun,
Who that attempteth to clymben hih aloffte,
With onwar chaung his fall is ful onsoffte.
Off cruel ire and indignacioun,
With feet disdeynyng the pouder caste abrod
Hih in the air aboute hym enviroun.
The which exaumple conceyued off resoun,
Who that attempteth to clymben hih aloffte,
With onwar chaung his fall is ful onsoffte.
Atwen the cedre, off tre[e]s most roiall,
And a sharp thistil is no convenyence,
Nor twen a cipresse, statli founde att all,
And lothsum pouder is a gret difference:
For roial blood sholde ha[ue] non assitence
To be ioyned nor knet in mariage
With such as been brouht foorth off low parage.
And a sharp thistil is no convenyence,
Nor twen a cipresse, statli founde att all,
And lothsum pouder is a gret difference:
For roial blood sholde ha[ue] non assitence
To be ioyned nor knet in mariage
With such as been brouht foorth off low parage.
The cedre is strong & myhti off substaunce,
In his vpgrowyng riht as any lyne;
And thouh the thistil ha[ue] spottis off plesaunce,
He hath eek prikkis, sharp as any spyne.
And bothe naturis, pleynli to termyne,
The cedre off kynde, who looke[th] weel aboute,
To no thistil sholde his braunchis loute.
In his vpgrowyng riht as any lyne;
And thouh the thistil ha[ue] spottis off plesaunce,
He hath eek prikkis, sharp as any spyne.
And bothe naturis, pleynli to termyne,
The cedre off kynde, who looke[th] weel aboute,
To no thistil sholde his braunchis loute.
Holsum off odour is the fair cipresse,
As bookis telle, and vertuous off kynde;
Dust & pouder, pleynli to expresse,
Troubleth the air & maketh folkis blynde:
For which in spousaile convenyence to fynde,
Lat estatis off ther berthe honurable,
Voide al raskail & wedde ther semblable.
As bookis telle, and vertuous off kynde;
Dust & pouder, pleynli to expresse,
Troubleth the air & maketh folkis blynde:
For which in spousaile convenyence to fynde,
Lat estatis off ther berthe honurable,
Voide al raskail & wedde ther semblable.
But Amazias wolde nat be war
For no warnyng, nor for no prophecie,
But stille in herte gret hatrede [he] bar
Ageyn kyng Ioas, off malice & envie;
Into a feld brouht al his cheualrie,
Gadred them out, bothe nyh and ferre,
Geyn Godis will on hym to gynne a werre.
For no warnyng, nor for no prophecie,
But stille in herte gret hatrede [he] bar
Ageyn kyng Ioas, off malice & envie;
Into a feld brouht al his cheualrie,
Gadred them out, bothe nyh and ferre,
Geyn Godis will on hym to gynne a werre.
275
And kyng Ioas, ful lik a worthi knyht,
Into the feeld[e] faste gan hym speede;
And alle the knyhtis off Iuda anon riht
Wer smet off vengaunce with a sodeyn dreede—
To bidde hem fle, God wot, it was no neede,
And Amazias, for al his gret[e] pride,
Stood destitut and no man be his side.
Into the feeld[e] faste gan hym speede;
And alle the knyhtis off Iuda anon riht
Wer smet off vengaunce with a sodeyn dreede—
To bidde hem fle, God wot, it was no neede,
And Amazias, for al his gret[e] pride,
Stood destitut and no man be his side.
With hym was non lefft off al his meyne,
So God and Ioas ageyn hym wrouhte.
Off Ierusalem entred the cite,
And Amazie off force with hym he brouhte;
And in the temple the tresour out he souhte,
Gold and siluer, and hooli ther richesse;
And to Samarie hom he gan hym dresse.
So God and Ioas ageyn hym wrouhte.
Off Ierusalem entred the cite,
And Amazie off force with hym he brouhte;
And in the temple the tresour out he souhte,
Gold and siluer, and hooli ther richesse;
And to Samarie hom he gan hym dresse.
And Amazias he leet out off prisoun,
Afftir al this, and suffred hym go fre.
To his myscheeff and his confusioun,
He was delyuered from his captiuite;
For slayn he was in Lachis the cite,
Among his freendis be symulacioun,
His deth conspired vnder ful fals tresoun.
Afftir al this, and suffred hym go fre.
To his myscheeff and his confusioun,
He was delyuered from his captiuite;
For slayn he was in Lachis the cite,
Among his freendis be symulacioun,
His deth conspired vnder ful fals tresoun.
[How god vpon Iosias succedyng kyng next in Iuda toke vengeaunce/smot him with lepre.]
Afftir in Iuda, the myhti regioun,
Next Amazias, Iosias gan succeede,
Wonder manli & famous of renoun,
In alle his werkis ful prouident in deede.
And off his knyhthod venquisshid, as I reede,
The Palestynes, for al ther gret puissaunce,
With al Arabie he brouht onto vttraunce.
Next Amazias, Iosias gan succeede,
Wonder manli & famous of renoun,
In alle his werkis ful prouident in deede.
And off his knyhthod venquisshid, as I reede,
The Palestynes, for al ther gret puissaunce,
With al Arabie he brouht onto vttraunce.
Bilte touns and many strong cite,
And onto Egipt he his boundis sette;
Made castelis beside the Rede Se,
And in his conquest, whom that euer he mette,
Off manli pride he ne wolde lette—
I meene alle tho that were his aduersaires—
To his lordshepe to make hem tributaires.
And onto Egipt he his boundis sette;
Made castelis beside the Rede Se,
And in his conquest, whom that euer he mette,
Off manli pride he ne wolde lette—
I meene alle tho that were his aduersaires—
To his lordshepe to make hem tributaires.
276
He dede his labour also to repare
Ierusalem afftir his ruyne;
The wallis rered, which on the soil lay bare,
Made newe tour[e]s, riht as any lyne,
Fanys off gold ther torettis tenlumyne,
And tafforce hem, leet werkmen vndertake
Squar bastiles & bolwerkis to make.
Ierusalem afftir his ruyne;
The wallis rered, which on the soil lay bare,
Made newe tour[e]s, riht as any lyne,
Fanys off gold ther torettis tenlumyne,
And tafforce hem, leet werkmen vndertake
Squar bastiles & bolwerkis to make.
He delited to make fressh gardynes,
Dyuers greynes & herbis for to knowe,
Reioisshid to plante sundri vynes,
To griffe trees and seedis for to sowe,
And straunge frutis [to] make hem growe arowe.
And with hym hadde, his enmyes to encoumbre,
Thre hundrid thousand manli men in noumbre.
Dyuers greynes & herbis for to knowe,
Reioisshid to plante sundri vynes,
To griffe trees and seedis for to sowe,
And straunge frutis [to] make hem growe arowe.
And with hym hadde, his enmyes to encoumbre,
Thre hundrid thousand manli men in noumbre.
His noble fame gan to sprede wide,
And gret[e]li drad for his hih prowesse,
Wherthoruh his herte corupt was with pride,
Because onli off his gret richesse;
And frowardli he dede his besynesse
For to maligne in his estat roial
Ageyn the Lord, the which is inmortal.
And gret[e]li drad for his hih prowesse,
Wherthoruh his herte corupt was with pride,
Because onli off his gret richesse;
And frowardli he dede his besynesse
For to maligne in his estat roial
Ageyn the Lord, the which is inmortal.
To God aboue he gan wexe obstynat,
That be processe ful smal he dede wynne;
And sauour cauhte in his roial estat
To folwe his fader in onthrift & synne,
That grace and vertu from hym dede twynne.
In most shynyng off his magnyficence,
Fortune proudli assailed his excellence.
That be processe ful smal he dede wynne;
And sauour cauhte in his roial estat
To folwe his fader in onthrift & synne,
That grace and vertu from hym dede twynne.
In most shynyng off his magnyficence,
Fortune proudli assailed his excellence.
Caste she wolde withynne a litil while
His surquedie & froward pride assaile,
And ful onwarli deceyue hym and begile,
To make his power tappallyn & to faile,
Whan that this kyng took on thapparaile
Off a bisshop, off veray frowardnesse,
And into temple proudli gan hym dresse,
His surquedie & froward pride assaile,
And ful onwarli deceyue hym and begile,
To make his power tappallyn & to faile,
Whan that this kyng took on thapparaile
Off a bisshop, off veray frowardnesse,
And into temple proudli gan hym dresse,
Beyng in purpos, on a solempne day,
To take his way up to the hih auter,
Falsli vsurpyng, who-euer seide nay,
To sacrefie, holdyng the censer,
Tofor the auter, that shon of gold ful cleer.
For which offence, the Bible seith the same,
Azarias the bisshop dede hym blame.
To take his way up to the hih auter,
Falsli vsurpyng, who-euer seide nay,
277
Tofor the auter, that shon of gold ful cleer.
For which offence, the Bible seith the same,
Azarias the bisshop dede hym blame.
Gan withstonde hym in the face anon,
Four score preestis beyng in presence,
Off the kynrede descendid off Aaron,
Which forbad hym & made resistence,
That with his hand he sholde putte incence
Vpon the auter, ageyn[es] Godis lawe,
Hym chargyng boldli his presence to withdrawe.
Four score preestis beyng in presence,
Off the kynrede descendid off Aaron,
Which forbad hym & made resistence,
That with his hand he sholde putte incence
Vpon the auter, ageyn[es] Godis lawe,
Hym chargyng boldli his presence to withdrawe.
But off despiht he made them holde ther pes,
In peyne off deth began hem to manace;
And sodenli among[es] al the pres,
An erthequaue fill in the same place.
And therwithal in the kynges face,
Off the sonne ther smet a bem so briht,
That al his visage was scorkid with the liht.
In peyne off deth began hem to manace;
And sodenli among[es] al the pres,
An erthequaue fill in the same place.
And therwithal in the kynges face,
Off the sonne ther smet a bem so briht,
That al his visage was scorkid with the liht.
He wex a lepre, ful foul and riht horible
For his offence, as God list ordeyne;
To euery man off look he was terible,
And but fewe his myscheeff gan compleyne.
And a gret hill the same hour karff on tweyne,
Nat ferr a-side from the toun withoute,
Cites destroieng that stood round aboute.
For his offence, as God list ordeyne;
To euery man off look he was terible,
And but fewe his myscheeff gan compleyne.
And a gret hill the same hour karff on tweyne,
Nat ferr a-side from the toun withoute,
Cites destroieng that stood round aboute.
On kyng Iosie God took his vengaunce,
For al his lordshepe & his magnyficence,
To punyshe his pride & his froward puissaunce,
And brouht hym lowe for his gret offence:
For his persone was put out off presence
Perpetueli, as Hooli Writ can telle,
Fer from al peeple with lepres for to duelle.
For al his lordshepe & his magnyficence,
To punyshe his pride & his froward puissaunce,
And brouht hym lowe for his gret offence:
For his persone was put out off presence
Perpetueli, as Hooli Writ can telle,
Fer from al peeple with lepres for to duelle.
His flessh was troubled with dyuers passiouns,
For his siknesse auoided the cite;
In cri and sorwe and lamentaciouns
His liff he ladde, in gret aduersite.
And so he deied in sorwe and pouerte,
Sympli buried, for al his grete myht,
Withynne an iland that stood ferr out of siht.
For his siknesse auoided the cite;
In cri and sorwe and lamentaciouns
His liff he ladde, in gret aduersite.
And so he deied in sorwe and pouerte,
Sympli buried, for al his grete myht,
Withynne an iland that stood ferr out of siht.
278
An exortacion to Princis to be auisid to do ageyn goddis Preceptes.
Lat pryncis all[e] in ther prouidence
Be riht weel war any thyng tattame,
Which onto God sholde been offence,
List that the fyn conclude to ther shame.
Lat them thynke, for al ther noble fame,
But thei repente, God off his iustise
Ther froward pride onwarli will chastise.
Be riht weel war any thyng tattame,
Which onto God sholde been offence,
List that the fyn conclude to ther shame.
Lat them thynke, for al ther noble fame,
But thei repente, God off his iustise
Ther froward pride onwarli will chastise.
Lat hem be war off malice to presume
Ageyn his cherche to doon offencioun;
For God off riht all tirantis will consume
In ful short tyme for ther presumpcioun.
Which wil nat suffre ther dominacioun
To interupte, for al ther grete myht,
Nor breke the fraunchise off hooli cherches ryht.
Ageyn his cherche to doon offencioun;
For God off riht all tirantis will consume
In ful short tyme for ther presumpcioun.
Which wil nat suffre ther dominacioun
To interupte, for al ther grete myht,
Nor breke the fraunchise off hooli cherches ryht.
To prudent pryncis, which that can discerne,
Lat kyng Iosias, considred his offence,
Been in ther mynde a merour & lanterne,
To hooli cherche to do due reuerence;
And conceyue in ther magnificence,
God will off riht, be thei neuer so stronge,
Chastise ther malice, thouh he abide longe.
Lat kyng Iosias, considred his offence,
Been in ther mynde a merour & lanterne,
To hooli cherche to do due reuerence;
And conceyue in ther magnificence,
God will off riht, be thei neuer so stronge,
Chastise ther malice, thouh he abide longe.
[How kyng Ozie was taken bi kyng Salmanazar and deied in prisoun.]
Ther was a-nother, that callid was Ozie,
Which whilom regned, as I afferme dar,
In Israel, whom Fortune be envie
Made hym be take or that he was war,
Besegid aboute off kyng Salmanazar;
And in Tassirie vnder his daunger,
The Bible tellith, he was prisoner.
Which whilom regned, as I afferme dar,
In Israel, whom Fortune be envie
Made hym be take or that he was war,
Besegid aboute off kyng Salmanazar;
And in Tassirie vnder his daunger,
The Bible tellith, he was prisoner.
His cites, touns brouht to destruccioun,
And al his peeple vnder long seruage
Wer take and kept in strong[e] Babiloun,
Suffred ther gret peyne & gret damage.
And in a presoun, be furious outrage,
This said Ozias, in cheynes bounde sore,
For sorwe deide: off hym write I no more.
And al his peeple vnder long seruage
Wer take and kept in strong[e] Babiloun,
279
And in a presoun, be furious outrage,
This said Ozias, in cheynes bounde sore,
For sorwe deide: off hym write I no more.
[How Senacheryb kyng of Assirie was slayne.]
With these forsaid woful kynges thre,
Senacherib, off Assirie kyng,
Cam to Iohn Bochas, most ougli on to see,
Ful pitousli his fate compleynyng.
And speciali his onwar chaungyng
He gan bewaile, oppressid in his thouht,
From hih noblesse how he was brouht to nouht.
Senacherib, off Assirie kyng,
Cam to Iohn Bochas, most ougli on to see,
Ful pitousli his fate compleynyng.
And speciali his onwar chaungyng
He gan bewaile, oppressid in his thouht,
From hih noblesse how he was brouht to nouht.
His renoun spradde thoruh many dyuers rewm,
And peeplis all[e] gan hym magnefie;
A siege he laide onto Ierusalem,
In the tyme off kyng Sedechie.
But in his most froward surquedie,
Godis aungel tofor the cite
An hundrid thousand slouh off his meyne.
And peeplis all[e] gan hym magnefie;
A siege he laide onto Ierusalem,
In the tyme off kyng Sedechie.
But in his most froward surquedie,
Godis aungel tofor the cite
An hundrid thousand slouh off his meyne.
And the mor to maken hym afferd,
Mid off his peeple, the silue same nyht,
Godis aungel shooff awey his berd
With a sharp suerd that shon cleer & bryht.
Leffte his siege & took hym onto flyht;
And in a temple, his goddis worshepyng,
His sonys slouh hym as he sat knelyng.
Mid off his peeple, the silue same nyht,
Godis aungel shooff awey his berd
With a sharp suerd that shon cleer & bryht.
Leffte his siege & took hym onto flyht;
And in a temple, his goddis worshepyng,
His sonys slouh hym as he sat knelyng.
[How kyng Sedechie/for fals forsweryng was slayn and made blynde in prisoun.]
Touchyng the compleynt of kyng Sedechie,
And off his sorwes to shewe the maner,
Hooli Writ dooth cleerli specefie,
Wherfore it were but veyn to telle hem heer.
For ther men may the processe pleynli ler,
How Ioachym, kyng off Ierusalem,
His owne brother, was lad out off his rewm.
And off his sorwes to shewe the maner,
Hooli Writ dooth cleerli specefie,
Wherfore it were but veyn to telle hem heer.
For ther men may the processe pleynli ler,
How Ioachym, kyng off Ierusalem,
His owne brother, was lad out off his rewm.
280
Wheroff in herte he felte ful gret sor,
This Sedechias, as it is ther founde,
Because the kyng Nabugodonosor
His brother heeld, strong in prisoun bounde,
Fulli in purpos the Iewes to confounde;
For this tirant hadde in that mortal striff
His brethre, childre in prisoun, & his wiff.
This Sedechias, as it is ther founde,
Because the kyng Nabugodonosor
His brother heeld, strong in prisoun bounde,
Fulli in purpos the Iewes to confounde;
For this tirant hadde in that mortal striff
His brethre, childre in prisoun, & his wiff.
And yit this tirant in his tirannye
This fauour dede in al his fell[e] rage
Onto this moste woful Sedechie,
To suffre hym regne in his gret[e] age,
Fro yeer to yeer to paie hym a truage,
Be feith and oth and composicioun,
Reised off his peeple & brouht to Babiloun.
This fauour dede in al his fell[e] rage
Onto this moste woful Sedechie,
To suffre hym regne in his gret[e] age,
Fro yeer to yeer to paie hym a truage,
Be feith and oth and composicioun,
Reised off his peeple & brouht to Babiloun.
Yit Sedechias in especiall,
Be a maner off fals felicite,
Hymselff reioished in his see roiall
To ocupie that noble dignite,
And so forgat the gret aduersite
Off his brother and other freendis all,
Touchyng the myscheeff that thei wer in fall.
Be a maner off fals felicite,
Hymselff reioished in his see roiall
To ocupie that noble dignite,
And so forgat the gret aduersite
Off his brother and other freendis all,
Touchyng the myscheeff that thei wer in fall.
Off pride he fill into presumpcioun,
Whan he remembrid his brethre & his lynage,
Considred how fro kyng Salamoun
He was descendid be title off heritage,
Gan disdeyne to paien his truage,
And to maligne, in herte he was so wroth,
And falsli brak his suraunce and his oth.
Whan he remembrid his brethre & his lynage,
Considred how fro kyng Salamoun
He was descendid be title off heritage,
Gan disdeyne to paien his truage,
And to maligne, in herte he was so wroth,
And falsli brak his suraunce and his oth.
He hadde a maner indignacioun,
Which he cauhte off old remembraunce,
How tyme passid, to kyng Salamoun,
Be his manli prudent gouernaunce,
Kynges aboute for a recognisaunce
Paied tribut, and durst it nat withseie
Fro yeer to yeer his noblesse to obeie.
Which he cauhte off old remembraunce,
How tyme passid, to kyng Salamoun,
Be his manli prudent gouernaunce,
Kynges aboute for a recognisaunce
Paied tribut, and durst it nat withseie
Fro yeer to yeer his noblesse to obeie.
Which thyng remembrid off kyng Sedechie,
As he wex gret and strong in his puissaunce,
Off hih disdeyn his tribut gan denye,
Sette a-side his feith and assuraunce,
So that his oth stood in no substaunce;
For he ageyn the kyng off Babiloun
Presumptuousli fill in rebellioun.
As he wex gret and strong in his puissaunce,
Off hih disdeyn his tribut gan denye,
281
So that his oth stood in no substaunce;
For he ageyn the kyng off Babiloun
Presumptuousli fill in rebellioun.
And his kyngdam to strengthe & fortefie,
Thouhte he wolde to his auauntage
The kyng off Egipt haue on his partie,
Off pride he fill into so gret outrage,
That he no mor wolde paien his truage;
But fynali such weies he hath souht,
That off his oth litil he rouhte or nouht.
Thouhte he wolde to his auauntage
The kyng off Egipt haue on his partie,
Off pride he fill into so gret outrage,
That he no mor wolde paien his truage;
But fynali such weies he hath souht,
That off his oth litil he rouhte or nouht.
But O alas, it is a doolful thyng
To be remembred, in hih or low degre,
That any prynce or any worthi kyng
Sholde false his oth or ontrewe be;
Or that men sholde such variaunce see
In ther corages, which been so hih[e] born,
For any cause falsli to be forsworn.
To be remembred, in hih or low degre,
That any prynce or any worthi kyng
Sholde false his oth or ontrewe be;
Or that men sholde such variaunce see
In ther corages, which been so hih[e] born,
For any cause falsli to be forsworn.
Be report it doth ther fame trouble,
Infortuneth and clipseth ther noblesse,
Whan a prynce is off his heste double,
And chargith nat, off wilful reclesnesse,
Al-be his promys conclude on doubilnesse.
Thouh God a while suffre hem and respite,
At onset hour ther falsnesse he will quite.
Infortuneth and clipseth ther noblesse,
Whan a prynce is off his heste double,
And chargith nat, off wilful reclesnesse,
Al-be his promys conclude on doubilnesse.
Thouh God a while suffre hem and respite,
At onset hour ther falsnesse he will quite.
His warnyng offte he sent to them affor,
Because thei lacke prudent policie,
Record I take off Nabugodonosor,
Which cam onwarli on kyng Sedechie,
For he his tribut gan falsli hym denye;
With al his power, as he dede abraide,
To Ierusalem a myhti siege he laide.
Because thei lacke prudent policie,
Record I take off Nabugodonosor,
Which cam onwarli on kyng Sedechie,
For he his tribut gan falsli hym denye;
With al his power, as he dede abraide,
To Ierusalem a myhti siege he laide.
Thei withynne constreyned were off neede,
The kyng hymsilff, ther was no bett diffence,
With manys flessh his peeple for to feede,
Whil the Caldeies be myhti violence,
Off verai force, withoute resistence,
On fals forsweryng for to taken wrake,
Ther myhti tour[e]s and ther wallis brake.
The kyng hymsilff, ther was no bett diffence,
With manys flessh his peeple for to feede,
Whil the Caldeies be myhti violence,
Off verai force, withoute resistence,
On fals forsweryng for to taken wrake,
Ther myhti tour[e]s and ther wallis brake.
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To slen and kille thei list non for to spare,
Whom-euer thei mette or cam in ther siht;
Sedechias leffte the toun al bare,
But take he was, as he hym took to fliht,
In cheynys bounde and fetrid anon riht,
In whose presence, tencrece his peynes anon,
His yonge childre were slay[e]n euerichon.
Whom-euer thei mette or cam in ther siht;
Sedechias leffte the toun al bare,
But take he was, as he hym took to fliht,
In cheynys bounde and fetrid anon riht,
In whose presence, tencrece his peynes anon,
His yonge childre were slay[e]n euerichon.
His wyues all, most woful off ther cheres,
Which in ther tyme most goodli were and fair,
Delyuered wern in handis off straungeres;
And mor, alas, to putte hym in dispair,
Into his kyngdam neuer to ha[ue] repair,
With sharp[e] tonges, it was to gret a peyne,
Out off his hed wer rent his eien tweyne.
Which in ther tyme most goodli were and fair,
Delyuered wern in handis off straungeres;
And mor, alas, to putte hym in dispair,
Into his kyngdam neuer to ha[ue] repair,
With sharp[e] tonges, it was to gret a peyne,
Out off his hed wer rent his eien tweyne.
Off Ierusalem his cite was ibrent
Pleyn to the ground into asshes dede.
His gret richesse, his tresour hooli sent
To Babiloun, with stonys bleu and rede;
Vesselis off gold, which richest wer in deede,
Withoute merci or remissioun,
Caldeies took to ther possessioun.
Pleyn to the ground into asshes dede.
His gret richesse, his tresour hooli sent
To Babiloun, with stonys bleu and rede;
Vesselis off gold, which richest wer in deede,
Withoute merci or remissioun,
Caldeies took to ther possessioun.
And thus in sorwe and in wrechidnesse
He deied, alas, fetred in prisoun.
Loo, heer the eende off periurie & falsnesse!
Loo, how Fortune can turnen vp-so-doun
Off mortal men the condicioun:
Now richest shynyng in prosperite,
With onwar chaung to hatful pouerte.
He deied, alas, fetred in prisoun.
Loo, heer the eende off periurie & falsnesse!
Loo, how Fortune can turnen vp-so-doun
Off mortal men the condicioun:
Now richest shynyng in prosperite,
With onwar chaung to hatful pouerte.
Now men lefft up to roial dignites,
Now hih aloffte be fulsum habundaunce:
But what auaileth to sitte in roial sees
To folk that han therin non assuraunce,
Namli whan Fortune holdeth the balaunce,
Which ay off custum onto hih estatis
Hath a fals ioie to shewen hir chekmatis.
Now hih aloffte be fulsum habundaunce:
But what auaileth to sitte in roial sees
To folk that han therin non assuraunce,
Namli whan Fortune holdeth the balaunce,
Which ay off custum onto hih estatis
Hath a fals ioie to shewen hir chekmatis.
Record I take off pryncis mo than on,
Ther woful fatis hanging in iupartie,
Remembrid late, and among echon
The woful fal off kyng Amazie,
His sone eek lepre, which callid was Iosie,
And last off all[e], how in Babiloun,
Kyng Sedechias deied in prisoun.
Ther woful fatis hanging in iupartie,
Remembrid late, and among echon
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His sone eek lepre, which callid was Iosie,
And last off all[e], how in Babiloun,
Kyng Sedechias deied in prisoun.
Lenvoye.
Noble Pryncis, considreth the fallas
Off Fortunys froward flat[e]rie;
Seeth hir deceites in many dyuers cas,
How she first mokkid manli Amazie,
Which slay[e]n was for his surquedie
To yeue you warnyng, bexaumple as ye may reede,
Whan ye sit hiest, your fal is most to dreede.
Off Fortunys froward flat[e]rie;
Seeth hir deceites in many dyuers cas,
How she first mokkid manli Amazie,
Which slay[e]n was for his surquedie
To yeue you warnyng, bexaumple as ye may reede,
Whan ye sit hiest, your fal is most to dreede.
And as it is remembred in Bochas,
Eek in the Bible off the kyng Iosie,
In his tyme how famous that he was
Bothe off richesse and off cheualrie,
Punshed with lepre, bookis specefie,
For his presumyng: remembrith this in deede,
Whan ye sit hiest, your fal is most to dreede.
Eek in the Bible off the kyng Iosie,
In his tyme how famous that he was
Bothe off richesse and off cheualrie,
Punshed with lepre, bookis specefie,
For his presumyng: remembrith this in deede,
Whan ye sit hiest, your fal is most to dreede.
Al worldli glorie fleeth hens a gret[e] pas,
I take witnesse off kyng Sedechie;
For fals forsweryng he slay[e]n was, alas!
Maad blynd in prisoun; this story cannat lie.
Thus sheweth Fortune, thoruh hir froward envie,
To you, Pryncis, yif ye list taken heede,
Whan ye sit hiest, your fal is most to dreede.
I take witnesse off kyng Sedechie;
For fals forsweryng he slay[e]n was, alas!
Maad blynd in prisoun; this story cannat lie.
Thus sheweth Fortune, thoruh hir froward envie,
To you, Pryncis, yif ye list taken heede,
Whan ye sit hiest, your fal is most to dreede.
[How kyng Astriages labored to disherite Cirus/but god suffrid his malice not to preuaile.]
Afftir these kynges, on folwed in the pres,
And gan to Bochas his compleynt discure;
And he was callid the grete Astriages,
Which tolde in ordre his vnkouth auenture,
Lord off Asie, as bookis us assure,
And hadde off tresour duryng al his liff
A-boue alle kynges a prerogatiff.
And gan to Bochas his compleynt discure;
And he was callid the grete Astriages,
Which tolde in ordre his vnkouth auenture,
Lord off Asie, as bookis us assure,
And hadde off tresour duryng al his liff
A-boue alle kynges a prerogatiff.
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Most fortunat in al his gouernaile,
Felte off Fortune non aduersite,
Sauff an heir male, nothyng dede hym faile;
For he most glorious sat in his roial see:
Off worldli welthe he lakked no plente,
Except onli, as clerkis off hym write,
He hadde no sone his kyngdam tenherite,
Felte off Fortune non aduersite,
Sauff an heir male, nothyng dede hym faile;
For he most glorious sat in his roial see:
Off worldli welthe he lakked no plente,
Except onli, as clerkis off hym write,
He hadde no sone his kyngdam tenherite,
Which to his welthe was gret disencres,
Lest successioun failed in his lyne.
A douhter had he callid Mundanes,
Out off whos wombe, as bookis determyne,
He drempte a-nyht[e] how he sauh a vyne
In his auesioun, with hym so it stood,
Ouer al Asie his braunchis spredde abrod.
Lest successioun failed in his lyne.
A douhter had he callid Mundanes,
Out off whos wombe, as bookis determyne,
He drempte a-nyht[e] how he sauh a vyne
In his auesioun, with hym so it stood,
Ouer al Asie his braunchis spredde abrod.
He hadde also a reuelacioun,
Slepyng a-nyht[e] afftir his souper,
Thouh he nat knew thexposicioun,
He thouhte he sauh a cristallyn ryuer,
With lusti watris, as any berell cleer,
Out off hir wombe, with his stremys fressh
The soil of Asie make tendre and nessh.
Slepyng a-nyht[e] afftir his souper,
Thouh he nat knew thexposicioun,
He thouhte he sauh a cristallyn ryuer,
With lusti watris, as any berell cleer,
Out off hir wombe, with his stremys fressh
The soil of Asie make tendre and nessh.
Touchyng this reuer and this lusty vyne
To hym shewed in his auisioun,
Withynne hymsilff he coud[e] nat termyne,
Theroff to fynde no cleer conclusioun
Withoute sum maner exposicioun
To hym declared be folkis in sentence,
Which off such dremys hadde experience.
To hym shewed in his auisioun,
Withynne hymsilff he coud[e] nat termyne,
Theroff to fynde no cleer conclusioun
Withoute sum maner exposicioun
To hym declared be folkis in sentence,
Which off such dremys hadde experience.
To hym he callid his astronomeris,
His philisophres and his dyuynours,
That knew the meuyng off the nyne speeris,
Ymages off sterris, ther houses & ther tours;
And such as wern expert expositours.
And whan thei wern assemblid euerichon,
Touchyng his drem thei corded all in on.
His philisophres and his dyuynours,
That knew the meuyng off the nyne speeris,
Ymages off sterris, ther houses & ther tours;
And such as wern expert expositours.
And whan thei wern assemblid euerichon,
Touchyng his drem thei corded all in on.
To telle hym trouthe thei wer nat rec[e]les,—
Saide his douhter, fro whom ther cam a vyne,
She that be name was callid Mundanes,
Sholde haue a sone descendyng from his lyne,
Whos noble fame thoruh Asia sholde shyne,
Which sholde [hym] putte, thoruh his hih renoun,
Be force off armys out off his regioun.
Saide his douhter, fro whom ther cam a vyne,
She that be name was callid Mundanes,
Sholde haue a sone descendyng from his lyne,
Whos noble fame thoruh Asia sholde shyne,
Which sholde [hym] putte, thoruh his hih renoun,
Be force off armys out off his regioun.
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This was his fate; he myhte it nat refuse,
The heuenli cours but it dede faile.
Wherupon he sore gan to muse,
Such fantasies dede his herte assaile;
Fill in gret doubte off ther dyuynaile,
Thouhte he wolde make purueiaunce
For to withstonde Godis ordenaunce.
The heuenli cours but it dede faile.
Wherupon he sore gan to muse,
Such fantasies dede his herte assaile;
Fill in gret doubte off ther dyuynaile,
Thouhte he wolde make purueiaunce
For to withstonde Godis ordenaunce.
Ful hard it is to make resistence
Geyn thyng ordeyned, whan God will that it be;
And namli ther, wher as influence
Off heuene aboue hath shape a destyne:
Sum men recorde that no man may it fle.
The doom off this, wher that it holde or flitte,
Tastronomeris al hooli I committe.
Geyn thyng ordeyned, whan God will that it be;
And namli ther, wher as influence
Off heuene aboue hath shape a destyne:
Sum men recorde that no man may it fle.
The doom off this, wher that it holde or flitte,
Tastronomeris al hooli I committe.
This said[e] kyng, off whom I spak but late,
Caste he wolde, for his auauntage,
The ordenaunce reuersen and the fate
Off the heuene, with al the surplusage,
And yeue his douhter as in mariage
To sum onworthi poore infortunat
That neuer were likli to rise to hih estat.
Caste he wolde, for his auauntage,
The ordenaunce reuersen and the fate
Off the heuene, with al the surplusage,
And yeue his douhter as in mariage
To sum onworthi poore infortunat
That neuer were likli to rise to hih estat.
And in this wise, kyng Astriages
Maried his douhter, as in his entent,
To on onworthi callid Cambises,
Deemyng therbi, be short auysement,
Withynne hymselff that he was riht prudent,
Wenyng that noblesse cam be discent off blood,
And nat be grace, nor as the heuene stood.
Maried his douhter, as in his entent,
To on onworthi callid Cambises,
Deemyng therbi, be short auysement,
Withynne hymselff that he was riht prudent,
Wenyng that noblesse cam be discent off blood,
And nat be grace, nor as the heuene stood.
In his resoun was nat comprehendid,
How Socrates, maistir off Platoun,
Off ful low bed bi berthe was descendid,
And nat tenherite kyngdam nor regioun,
But for to haue fulli possessioun
Off moral vertu and philosophie,
Duryng his liff his witt he dede applie.
How Socrates, maistir off Platoun,
Off ful low bed bi berthe was descendid,
And nat tenherite kyngdam nor regioun,
But for to haue fulli possessioun
Off moral vertu and philosophie,
Duryng his liff his witt he dede applie.
He souhte contrees for wisdam and science,
And secre cunnynges to serch[e] dede his peyne;
And he fond out thoruh his deligence,
This philisophre, as bookis acerteyne,
To ioie reserued outher onto peyne,
Be grace off God, which is eternall,
How menys soulis be founde ay inmortall.
And secre cunnynges to serch[e] dede his peyne;
And he fond out thoruh his deligence,
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To ioie reserued outher onto peyne,
Be grace off God, which is eternall,
How menys soulis be founde ay inmortall.
The grete Appollo, in bookis it is founde,
Gaff iugement off equite and riht,
That Socrates in vertu most habounde,
And most preferrid in eueri manys siht,
Was callid off wisdam the lanterne & the liht,
And wisest named, at evyn and at pryme,
Off philisophres that wer in his tyme.
Gaff iugement off equite and riht,
That Socrates in vertu most habounde,
And most preferrid in eueri manys siht,
Was callid off wisdam the lanterne & the liht,
And wisest named, at evyn and at pryme,
Off philisophres that wer in his tyme.
The poete also callid Euripides,
Most honourable callid in that age,
Al-be his mooder off liff was rec[e]les
And contagious thoruh vicious outrage:
Yit was this poete, for al his vil lynage,
Most vertuous founden at assaies,
Off alle poetis that wer in his daies.
Most honourable callid in that age,
Al-be his mooder off liff was rec[e]les
And contagious thoruh vicious outrage:
Yit was this poete, for al his vil lynage,
Most vertuous founden at assaies,
Off alle poetis that wer in his daies.
Callid in his tyme a gret tragician,
Because he wrot many tragedies,
And wolde off trouthe spare no maner man,
But hem rebuken in his poetries,
Touchyng the vices off flesshli fantasies,
Compleyne in pryncis ther deedis most horible,
And ech thyng punshe that was to God odible.
Because he wrot many tragedies,
And wolde off trouthe spare no maner man,
But hem rebuken in his poetries,
Touchyng the vices off flesshli fantasies,
Compleyne in pryncis ther deedis most horible,
And ech thyng punshe that was to God odible.
A-nother clerk callid Demostenes,
The moste subtil rethorician,
And most inuentiff among al the pres,
That euer was sithe[n] the world began,
Al-be off berthe he was a poore man,
Yit hadde he most souereyn excellence
Mong philisophres off speche & eloquence.
The moste subtil rethorician,
And most inuentiff among al the pres,
That euer was sithe[n] the world began,
Al-be off berthe he was a poore man,
Yit hadde he most souereyn excellence
Mong philisophres off speche & eloquence.
Be which exaumple, me semeth dout[e]les,
That roial blood, nouther hih lynage
To mennys berthe yeueth but smal encres,
Nor onto vertu but litil auauntage:
For hih noblesse taketh nat his corage
Off riche nor poore, nor statis souereyne,
But off his grace, as God list to ordeyne.
That roial blood, nouther hih lynage
To mennys berthe yeueth but smal encres,
Nor onto vertu but litil auauntage:
For hih noblesse taketh nat his corage
Off riche nor poore, nor statis souereyne,
But off his grace, as God list to ordeyne.
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Wherfore, off foli kyng Astriages,
Contrariousli ageyn al gent[e]rie,
Bad that his douhter callid Mundanes,
First whan folk with childe hir dede espie,
For tacomplishe his froward fantasie,
Whan it wer born, chargyng aboue all thyng,
Off Archanye to bern it to the kyng.
Contrariousli ageyn al gent[e]rie,
Bad that his douhter callid Mundanes,
First whan folk with childe hir dede espie,
For tacomplishe his froward fantasie,
Whan it wer born, chargyng aboue all thyng,
Off Archanye to bern it to the kyng.
Which in that tyme was callid Arpagus;
And, as I fynde, he dede in vertu floure,
And pite hadde, the story tellith thus,
That beestis sholde the litil child deuoure.
But God that may in myscheeff best socoure,
To keepe the child was nat rek[e]les,
Ageyn the malice off kyng Astriages,
And, as I fynde, he dede in vertu floure,
And pite hadde, the story tellith thus,
That beestis sholde the litil child deuoure.
But God that may in myscheeff best socoure,
To keepe the child was nat rek[e]les,
Ageyn the malice off kyng Astriages,
Which hadde comaundid off malice & hatreede,
How that this child, greene & tendre off age,
Bi Arpagus sholde be cast in deede
To be deuoured off beestis most sauage.
But for he dradde to doon so gret outrage,
To his shepperde, hymselff to stonde at large,
The child to slen he fulli gaff the charge.
How that this child, greene & tendre off age,
Bi Arpagus sholde be cast in deede
To be deuoured off beestis most sauage.
But for he dradde to doon so gret outrage,
To his shepperde, hymselff to stonde at large,
The child to slen he fulli gaff the charge.
[How yong Cirus was in to the Forest/cast with bestys to be devoured.]
This heerdeman, albe that he was loth
To execute this woful auenture,
Inta forest foorth with the child he goth,
And gaff to beestis that litil creature;
Whom to fostre, be grace ageyn nature,
A wilde bichche hir whelpis ther forsook,
And to hir pappis the litil child she took.
To execute this woful auenture,
Inta forest foorth with the child he goth,
And gaff to beestis that litil creature;
Whom to fostre, be grace ageyn nature,
A wilde bichche hir whelpis ther forsook,
And to hir pappis the litil child she took.
And with hir mylk she made hym suppe & dyne,
And bisi was fro hym to enchace
Wilde foulis and beestis sauagyne,
That non ne durste neihhen to that place.
Loo, how that God disposen can his grace,
Innocentis fro myscheeff to preserue
Geyn fals envie, which wolde make hem sterue!
And bisi was fro hym to enchace
Wilde foulis and beestis sauagyne,
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Loo, how that God disposen can his grace,
Innocentis fro myscheeff to preserue
Geyn fals envie, which wolde make hem sterue!
O blood onkynde, founden in kynreede,
For couetise, O blood disnaturall
Off fals malice, O blood ful off hatreede!—
To moordre a child born off the stok roiall!
Wher manys resoun is turned bestiall,
Falsli transfourmed onto cruelte,
To slen a child wher beestis han pite!
For couetise, O blood disnaturall
Off fals malice, O blood ful off hatreede!—
To moordre a child born off the stok roiall!
Wher manys resoun is turned bestiall,
Falsli transfourmed onto cruelte,
To slen a child wher beestis han pite!
The celi heerde hath told his wiff the cas;
And she anon off pite dede arise,
With hir husbonde wente a ful gret pas
Into the forest, beholdyng al the guise,
As heer-tofor[e]n ye han herd deuyse,
Seyng the child, with lippis tendre & soffte,
The bichchis pappis how he sok ful offte.
And she anon off pite dede arise,
With hir husbonde wente a ful gret pas
Into the forest, beholdyng al the guise,
As heer-tofor[e]n ye han herd deuyse,
Seyng the child, with lippis tendre & soffte,
The bichchis pappis how he sok ful offte.
The said[e] heerde callid Sparagos,
His wiff also, off whom toforn I tolde,
This yonge child took in ther depos;
And in hir armys she sofftli gan it folde.
And he ful goodli hir face gan beholde,
And on his maner in the same while,
In childli wise on hir gan to smyle.
His wiff also, off whom toforn I tolde,
This yonge child took in ther depos;
And in hir armys she sofftli gan it folde.
And he ful goodli hir face gan beholde,
And on his maner in the same while,
In childli wise on hir gan to smyle.
The childes lauhtre whan she dede aduerte,
With al hir hool[e] feithful dilligence
She gan to cherishe it, and with al hir herte
She gaff it souk, with ful gret reuerence,
Albe the bichche made resistence,
Compleynyng stood felli at abay,
The litil child whan she sauh lad away.
With al hir hool[e] feithful dilligence
She gan to cherishe it, and with al hir herte
She gaff it souk, with ful gret reuerence,
Albe the bichche made resistence,
Compleynyng stood felli at abay,
The litil child whan she sauh lad away.
Ful pitousli she gan to houle and crie,
At ther departyng doolfully compleyne,
And afftir them ful faste gan to hie,
The child to lete she felte so gret a peyne.
Loo, how that God off merci can ordeyne
A cruel beeste such sorwe for to make,
And so to mourne for a childes sake!
At ther departyng doolfully compleyne,
And afftir them ful faste gan to hie,
The child to lete she felte so gret a peyne.
Loo, how that God off merci can ordeyne
A cruel beeste such sorwe for to make,
And so to mourne for a childes sake!
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But eueri thyng that God will ha[ue] preserued,
Ne may nat faile to stonde in sekirnesse.
His secre doomys been to hymsilff reserued;
Ther can no man expowne hem, as I gesse.
For he shoop first that this shepperdesse,
Off Sparagos the trewe poore wiff,
For to be mene to saue the childes liff.
Ne may nat faile to stonde in sekirnesse.
His secre doomys been to hymsilff reserued;
Ther can no man expowne hem, as I gesse.
For he shoop first that this shepperdesse,
Off Sparagos the trewe poore wiff,
For to be mene to saue the childes liff.
Hom to hir hous the child she ladde anon,
And it to fostre dede hir besynesse:
Off othir salari, God wot, knew she non,
Sauff that hir herte therto dede hir dresse.
And mor enterli, the story berth witnesse,
She tendrid hym, and with mor besi cure,
Than hym that was hir child born off nature.
And it to fostre dede hir besynesse:
Off othir salari, God wot, knew she non,
Sauff that hir herte therto dede hir dresse.
And mor enterli, the story berth witnesse,
She tendrid hym, and with mor besi cure,
Than hym that was hir child born off nature.
And as the story pleynli doth expresse,
This yonge child, as he wex in age,
Fro day to day encreced in noblesse,
Lik for to been riht manli off corage.
Cirus callid he was in that language,
To seyne in Latyn pleynli in substaunce,
A man iborn to gret enheritaunce.
This yonge child, as he wex in age,
Fro day to day encreced in noblesse,
Lik for to been riht manli off corage.
Cirus callid he was in that language,
To seyne in Latyn pleynli in substaunce,
A man iborn to gret enheritaunce.
And whan the renoun off his excellence
Bi long processe, and off his gret encres
Cam be report onto the audience
Off his aiel, the grete Astriages,
And how the kyng was founde rech[e]les,
Callid Arpagus, for to do vengaunce
On yonge Cirus, he fill in displesaunce.
Bi long processe, and off his gret encres
Cam be report onto the audience
Off his aiel, the grete Astriages,
And how the kyng was founde rech[e]les,
Callid Arpagus, for to do vengaunce
On yonge Cirus, he fill in displesaunce.
This is to meene Astriages was wroth,
That Arpagus was founde merciable
Cirus to saue, and for that he was loth
Ageyn[e]s al riht for to be vengable
To slen a child, a thyng nat comendable,—
Demyng off trouthe in his conscience,
God was nat paied, to moordre innocence.
That Arpagus was founde merciable
Cirus to saue, and for that he was loth
Ageyn[e]s al riht for to be vengable
To slen a child, a thyng nat comendable,—
Demyng off trouthe in his conscience,
God was nat paied, to moordre innocence.
Astriages caste hym to be wreke
On Arpagus be fals collusioun,
Because that he his biddyng dede breke,
And was contraire to his entencioun
Cirus to slen, ageyn[es] al resoun.
And for that cause Astriages, I reede,
Off Arpagus leet slen the child in deede.
On Arpagus be fals collusioun,
Because that he his biddyng dede breke,
And was contraire to his entencioun
Cirus to slen, ageyn[es] al resoun.
And for that cause Astriages, I reede,
Off Arpagus leet slen the child in deede.
290
This to seyne, be ful fals compassyng
And couert moordre, wrouht bi Astriages,
The sone was slayn off Arpagus the kyng,
And afftir rosted, allas, ful causeles,
And sithe presentid, amongis al the pres,
Toforn his fader, a thyng most lamentable,
With Astriages as he sat at table.
And couert moordre, wrouht bi Astriages,
The sone was slayn off Arpagus the kyng,
And afftir rosted, allas, ful causeles,
And sithe presentid, amongis al the pres,
Toforn his fader, a thyng most lamentable,
With Astriages as he sat at table.
But whan this kyng callid Arpagus
Conceyued hath this moordre most terrible,
And how his sone & heir was slay[e]n thus,
In his ire most furious and odible,
In al the haste that it was possible,
He is repaired hom to his houshold,
And al the cas to Cirus he hath told.
Conceyued hath this moordre most terrible,
And how his sone & heir was slay[e]n thus,
In his ire most furious and odible,
In al the haste that it was possible,
He is repaired hom to his houshold,
And al the cas to Cirus he hath told.
And how his sone was slay[e]n for his sake,
In the most hatful odious cruelte,
Excityng hym with hym to vndirtake
On this fals moordre auengid for to be,
To hym declaryng off trouthe & equite,
How he was bor[e]n be discent in deede,
As riht[e] heir to regne in Perse & Mede.
In the most hatful odious cruelte,
Excityng hym with hym to vndirtake
On this fals moordre auengid for to be,
To hym declaryng off trouthe & equite,
How he was bor[e]n be discent in deede,
As riht[e] heir to regne in Perse & Mede.
To hym declaryng the stori bi and bi,
First off the drem off Astriages,
And how that he be fraude ful falsli
Made his douhter, callid Mundanes,
Poorli be weddid onto Cambises,
Which was his mooder, & how in tendre age
He was out cast to beestis ful sauage.
First off the drem off Astriages,
And how that he be fraude ful falsli
Made his douhter, callid Mundanes,
Poorli be weddid onto Cambises,
Which was his mooder, & how in tendre age
He was out cast to beestis ful sauage.
Be a shepperde and a shepperdesse
Fostred he was in gret[e] pouerte,
And brouht fro beestis out off wildirnesse,
Because God wolde he sholde saued be:
For thilke Lord, which euery-thyng may see,
Whan that he hath a thyng aforn disposid,
Nedis it mut fall & may nat be deposid.
Fostred he was in gret[e] pouerte,
And brouht fro beestis out off wildirnesse,
Because God wolde he sholde saued be:
For thilke Lord, which euery-thyng may see,
Whan that he hath a thyng aforn disposid,
Nedis it mut fall & may nat be deposid.
This said[e] Cirus, at his natyuyte,
Ordeyned was be reuolucioun
Off the heuenli speeris, in noumbre thries thre,
(So stood that tyme his constellacioun,)
That he sholde haue the domynacioun
Ouer al Asie, be influence dyuyne,
Aforn figured be spredyng off the vyne.
Ordeyned was be reuolucioun
Off the heuenli speeris, in noumbre thries thre,
(So stood that tyme his constellacioun,)
291
Ouer al Asie, be influence dyuyne,
Aforn figured be spredyng off the vyne.
What may the fraude off sleihti folk auaile,
Innocentis to putte out off ther riht?
Thouh trouthe be hid amongis the poraile,
Hard brouht foorth, & dar nat shewe his liht,
Yit God will ordeyne that the bemys briht
Shal sum o day shewe out his cleernesse,
Maugre all tho that wolde his title oppresse.
Innocentis to putte out off ther riht?
Thouh trouthe be hid amongis the poraile,
Hard brouht foorth, & dar nat shewe his liht,
Yit God will ordeyne that the bemys briht
Shal sum o day shewe out his cleernesse,
Maugre all tho that wolde his title oppresse.
For this Cirus, as clerkis off hym write,
Was bi the title off his mooder side
Born to be kyng al Asie tenherite,
Al-be his aiel from hym wolde it deuide;
But God, that can for trouthe best prouide,
Hath for Cirus be processe so ordeyned,
That he off Asie the lordshep hath atteyned.
Was bi the title off his mooder side
Born to be kyng al Asie tenherite,
Al-be his aiel from hym wolde it deuide;
But God, that can for trouthe best prouide,
Hath for Cirus be processe so ordeyned,
That he off Asie the lordshep hath atteyned.
Cirus that tyme was growe up weel on lengthe,
Weel proporciownyd off membris & stature,
Wonder delyuer, & passyng off gret strengthe,
Straunge emprises proudli to endure;
And to iuparte & putte in auenture
His owne persone, the fame was off hym so,
Was non mor likli wher men sholde haue a-do.
Weel proporciownyd off membris & stature,
Wonder delyuer, & passyng off gret strengthe,
Straunge emprises proudli to endure;
And to iuparte & putte in auenture
His owne persone, the fame was off hym so,
Was non mor likli wher men sholde haue a-do.
And bi the counsail off kyng Arpagus,
Whan this Cirus was weel waxe in age,
With Perciens proude & surquedous,
And Archanytes cruel off corage,
For to recure his rihtful heritage
Be go with Cirus, armed in plate & maile,
With Astriages to holden [a] bataile.
Whan this Cirus was weel waxe in age,
With Perciens proude & surquedous,
And Archanytes cruel off corage,
For to recure his rihtful heritage
Be go with Cirus, armed in plate & maile,
With Astriages to holden [a] bataile.
And he ageynward gan to taken heede,
And with hym took[e] many worthi knyht,
With al the puissaunce off the lond off Mede
Hath take the feeld the same dai foorth-ryht,
To disherite Cirus off his ryht.
But God and trouthe was atwen hem tweyne
Egal iuge ther quarel to dareyne.
And with hym took[e] many worthi knyht,
With al the puissaunce off the lond off Mede
Hath take the feeld the same dai foorth-ryht,
To disherite Cirus off his ryht.
But God and trouthe was atwen hem tweyne
Egal iuge ther quarel to dareyne.
292
The feeld ordeyned, & splaied ther baneris,
On outher parti ful proudli on thei sette,
At thassemblyng lik liouns off ther cheris,
In the face as thei fersli mette
With rounde speris, ful sharp[e] grounde & whette,
Til that Cirus, off grace mor than noumbre,
Off his aiel the parti dede encoumbre.
On outher parti ful proudli on thei sette,
At thassemblyng lik liouns off ther cheris,
In the face as thei fersli mette
With rounde speris, ful sharp[e] grounde & whette,
Til that Cirus, off grace mor than noumbre,
Off his aiel the parti dede encoumbre.
This myhti Cirus, this yonge champioun,
Thoruhout the feeld gan such a slauhtre make,
With his knyhtis as he wente up and doun,
That as the deth his fomen hym forsake.
Astriages vnder his baner take,
The feeld venquysshid, for al his fals veynglorie,
To shewe that riht hath alwey the victorie.
Thoruhout the feeld gan such a slauhtre make,
With his knyhtis as he wente up and doun,
That as the deth his fomen hym forsake.
Astriages vnder his baner take,
The feeld venquysshid, for al his fals veynglorie,
To shewe that riht hath alwey the victorie.
A man off malice may a thyng purpose
Bi a maner froward prouydence;
But God a-boue can graciousli dispose
Ageyn such malice to make resistence:
Men for a while may suffre violence
And wronges grete, wher-so that thei weende,
But trouthe alway venquysshith at the eende.
Bi a maner froward prouydence;
But God a-boue can graciousli dispose
Ageyn such malice to make resistence:
Men for a while may suffre violence
And wronges grete, wher-so that thei weende,
But trouthe alway venquysshith at the eende.
Astriages fond ful sooth his drem;
Thouh he ageyn it made purueiance
To haue depryued Cirus off his rem,
He was deceyued in his ordynance:
For wher that God thoruh his myhti puissance
List for heires iustli to prouide,
Sleihte in such cas off man, is leid a-side.
Thouh he ageyn it made purueiance
To haue depryued Cirus off his rem,
He was deceyued in his ordynance:
For wher that God thoruh his myhti puissance
List for heires iustli to prouide,
Sleihte in such cas off man, is leid a-side.
Maugre the myht[e] off Astriages,
Cirus on hym made a disconfiture;
And al Asie reioisshed eek in pes,
Off verai riht, as was his auenture.
And be iust title he dede also recure
The lond off Mede, lik as was his fate,
And into Perse he dede it hool translate.
Cirus on hym made a disconfiture;
And al Asie reioisshed eek in pes,
Off verai riht, as was his auenture.
And be iust title he dede also recure
The lond off Mede, lik as was his fate,
And into Perse he dede it hool translate.
Ageyn his aiel he was nat vengable,
Which hadde wrouht to his destruccioun,
But was to hym benygne and merciable,
And grauntid hym, off hool affeccioun,
The fourte part off the regioun
Off Archanye, off which aforn I tolde,
Hym to sustenyn in his daies olde.
Which hadde wrouht to his destruccioun,
But was to hym benygne and merciable,
And grauntid hym, off hool affeccioun,
The fourte part off the regioun
293
Hym to sustenyn in his daies olde.
For kyng Cirus wold[e] nat his lyue
Suffre his aiel, off veray gentilesse,
That men sholde hym fynali depryue
Off kyngli honour, for non onkynd[e]nesse,—
To yeue exaumple to pryncis in sothnesse,
Thouh God ha[ue] youe hem power in erthe & myht,
Thei sholde ay merci medle with the ryht.
Suffre his aiel, off veray gentilesse,
That men sholde hym fynali depryue
Off kyngli honour, for non onkynd[e]nesse,—
To yeue exaumple to pryncis in sothnesse,
Thouh God ha[ue] youe hem power in erthe & myht,
Thei sholde ay merci medle with the ryht.
[Lenvoye.]
Noble Princis, your eris doth enclyne,
And considreth in your discreciouns,
How dremys shewed binfluence dyuyne
Be nat lik sweuenys, but lik auysiouns,
Or resemblable to reuelaciouns,
Which thouh men wolde distourbe & make faile,
God wil nat suffre ther malice to preuaile.
And considreth in your discreciouns,
How dremys shewed binfluence dyuyne
Be nat lik sweuenys, but lik auysiouns,
Or resemblable to reuelaciouns,
Which thouh men wolde distourbe & make faile,
God wil nat suffre ther malice to preuaile.
Astriages drempte he sauh a vyne,
Shewed off trouthe and non illusiouns,
From his douhter wombe, riht as lyne,
Spred in Asie ouer the regiouns;
But to disherite be fals collusiouns
Yonge Cirus, the kyng dede his trauaile,
But God nat suffred his malice to preuaile.
Shewed off trouthe and non illusiouns,
From his douhter wombe, riht as lyne,
Spred in Asie ouer the regiouns;
But to disherite be fals collusiouns
Yonge Cirus, the kyng dede his trauaile,
But God nat suffred his malice to preuaile.
Pryncis remembreth, ye that in honour shyne,
Vpon this stori in your entenciouns,
And beth weelwillid, wher God list forthre a lyne
Outher to richesse or dominaciouns,
To fauour them to ther promociouns,—
Be nat contrarie in your acquitaile,
Sithe God will suffre no malice to preuaile.
Vpon this stori in your entenciouns,
And beth weelwillid, wher God list forthre a lyne
Outher to richesse or dominaciouns,
To fauour them to ther promociouns,—
Be nat contrarie in your acquitaile,
Sithe God will suffre no malice to preuaile.
294
[How Candalus kyng of Lide was made Cokewold/and aftir slayn.]
Whil Iohn Bochas caste his look a-side,
In his studie as he sat writyng,
To his presence cam the kyng off Lide
Callid Candalus, ful pitousli pleynyng,
With salte teris ful lowli besechyng,
That he wolde, tasswagen his greuaunce,
His dedli sorwe to putte in remembraunce.
In his studie as he sat writyng,
To his presence cam the kyng off Lide
Callid Candalus, ful pitousli pleynyng,
With salte teris ful lowli besechyng,
That he wolde, tasswagen his greuaunce,
His dedli sorwe to putte in remembraunce.
His compleynt was most off onkynd[e]nesse,
For fals deceit, ageyn al skile and riht,
That wher his trust was most off gentilesse,
He mokkid was, for al his gret[e] myht;
For off his hous ther was a certeyn knyht,
Giges callid, thyng shamful to be told,
To speke pleyn Inglissh, made hym a cokold.
For fals deceit, ageyn al skile and riht,
That wher his trust was most off gentilesse,
He mokkid was, for al his gret[e] myht;
For off his hous ther was a certeyn knyht,
Giges callid, thyng shamful to be told,
To speke pleyn Inglissh, made hym a cokold.
Alas, I was nat auysid weel beforn,
Oncunnyngli to speke such language;
I sholde ha said, how that he hadde an horn,
Or souht sum tee[r]me with a fair visage
Texcuse my rudnesse off this gret outrage,
As in sum land Cornodo men them call,
And summe afferme how such folk ha[ue] no gall.
Oncunnyngli to speke such language;
I sholde ha said, how that he hadde an horn,
Or souht sum tee[r]me with a fair visage
Texcuse my rudnesse off this gret outrage,
As in sum land Cornodo men them call,
And summe afferme how such folk ha[ue] no gall.
This was the cas: whan Phebus shon [ful] sheene
The somer sesoun in his ascencioun,
Whan soote braunchis wer clad in newe greene,
Heete inportable hadde domynacioun,
Whan that the queen for recreacioun,
Onprouyded that no man dede hir keepe,
Vpon hir bed lay naked for to sleepe.
The somer sesoun in his ascencioun,
Whan soote braunchis wer clad in newe greene,
Heete inportable hadde domynacioun,
Whan that the queen for recreacioun,
Onprouyded that no man dede hir keepe,
Vpon hir bed lay naked for to sleepe.
And, as clerkis off hir beute write,
Ther was a-lyue no fairere creature,
Nor mor excellyng, lik as thei endite,
Off semlynesse, hir stori doth assure:
Callid for beute cosyn to Nature,
And worthi eek, yiff I shal nat feyne,
To be comparid to Griselde or Eleyne.
Ther was a-lyue no fairere creature,
Nor mor excellyng, lik as thei endite,
Off semlynesse, hir stori doth assure:
295
And worthi eek, yiff I shal nat feyne,
To be comparid to Griselde or Eleyne.
Kynde in hir forge list nothyng to erre,
Whan she hir wrouhte, bi gret auysynesse,
To make off beute the veray lode-sterre,
And yeue hir fauour, beute & semlynesse;
But for Nature hadde so gret besynesse
To fourme a woman that was so fressh of hewe,
She hadde forgete for to make hir trewe.
Whan she hir wrouhte, bi gret auysynesse,
To make off beute the veray lode-sterre,
And yeue hir fauour, beute & semlynesse;
But for Nature hadde so gret besynesse
To fourme a woman that was so fressh of hewe,
She hadde forgete for to make hir trewe.
Hir eyen wer verai celestiall,
Hir her ontressid, lik Phebus in his speer,—
A thyng rasemblyng that were inmortall,
So angelik she was off look and cheer,
An exaumplaire off port & off maneer,—
Ther was no lak, sauf Nature, thoruh hir slouthe,
Hadde lefft behynde to yeue hir feith & trouthe.
Hir her ontressid, lik Phebus in his speer,—
A thyng rasemblyng that were inmortall,
So angelik she was off look and cheer,
An exaumplaire off port & off maneer,—
Ther was no lak, sauf Nature, thoruh hir slouthe,
Hadde lefft behynde to yeue hir feith & trouthe.
And on a day, as she lay slepyng
Naked a-bedde, most goodli on to siht,
Ful onwarli cam Candalus the kyng
Into the chaumbre, wher Titan shon ful bryht,
And shewed hir beute onto his owne knyht,
Off entent he sholde ber witnesse
How she excellid all othir in fairnesse.
Naked a-bedde, most goodli on to siht,
Ful onwarli cam Candalus the kyng
Into the chaumbre, wher Titan shon ful bryht,
And shewed hir beute onto his owne knyht,
Off entent he sholde ber witnesse
How she excellid all othir in fairnesse.
And whan Giges gan in ordre see
Off this queen the gret[e] excellence,
He was enamoured vpon hir beute
Al the while he stood ther in presence,
Gan ymagyne a tresoun in silence,
To slen his lord, withoute long tarieng,
Wynne the queen, and afftir regne as kyng.
Off this queen the gret[e] excellence,
He was enamoured vpon hir beute
Al the while he stood ther in presence,
Gan ymagyne a tresoun in silence,
To slen his lord, withoute long tarieng,
Wynne the queen, and afftir regne as kyng.
This was the eende, doolful and pitous,
To be remembrid hatful and terrible,
Off this noble worthi Candalus;
For off his trust to moche he was credible
Onto Giges, the traitour most odible.
And yit mor foltissh, wherbi he lost his liff,
Outward to shewe the beute off his wiff.
To be remembrid hatful and terrible,
Off this noble worthi Candalus;
For off his trust to moche he was credible
Onto Giges, the traitour most odible.
And yit mor foltissh, wherbi he lost his liff,
Outward to shewe the beute off his wiff.
296
Thouh she were fair & goodli on to see,
Ther was no trust nor no sekirnesse,
For other hadde as good[e] part as he,—
Giges koude bere theroff witnesse.
Alas, a queen, or any gret pryncesse
Assente sholde hir fame for to trouble,
But yiff Nature excuse hem to be double.
Ther was no trust nor no sekirnesse,
For other hadde as good[e] part as he,—
Giges koude bere theroff witnesse.
Alas, a queen, or any gret pryncesse
Assente sholde hir fame for to trouble,
But yiff Nature excuse hem to be double.
[How what thing kyng Midas touched was golde/ yitt deied he in misery and wrecchidnesse.]
But who-so-euer was therwith loth or fayn,
Giges was afftir crownyd kyng off Lide,
Whan that his lord was be tresoun slayn.
Off hym the surplus Bochas set a-side.
And in his studi, as he dede abide,
Ther cam off Frige, Midas the riche kyng,
Told myn auctour his compleynt with wepyng.
Giges was afftir crownyd kyng off Lide,
Whan that his lord was be tresoun slayn.
Off hym the surplus Bochas set a-side.
And in his studi, as he dede abide,
Ther cam off Frige, Midas the riche kyng,
Told myn auctour his compleynt with wepyng.
For ther was neuer, be conquest nor labour,
No kyng aforn that hadde mor richesse,
Nor mor plente off gold nor off tresour.
At whose berthe poetis thus expresse:
A-boute his cradel amptis gan hem dresse,
Whil he slepte, and gan a-boute hym leyn
A ful gret noumbre off purid whete greyn.
No kyng aforn that hadde mor richesse,
Nor mor plente off gold nor off tresour.
At whose berthe poetis thus expresse:
A-boute his cradel amptis gan hem dresse,
Whil he slepte, and gan a-boute hym leyn
A ful gret noumbre off purid whete greyn.
Wherupon, most expert dyuynours,
As thei took heed in ther attendaunce,
Such as wer[e]n best expositours,
Saide it was a tokne off habundaunce,
To haue off richesse al maner suffisaunce,
And concludyng, pleynli gan to tell,
How he alle other in tresour sholde excell.
As thei took heed in ther attendaunce,
Such as wer[e]n best expositours,
Saide it was a tokne off habundaunce,
To haue off richesse al maner suffisaunce,
And concludyng, pleynli gan to tell,
How he alle other in tresour sholde excell.
Poetis off hym wrot that were ful olde,
How Bachus gaff hym—the myhti God of wyn,—
What he toucheth shal turnen into golde
As good as that which cam out off the myn,
At all assaies to been as pur and fyn.
This request, as writ Ouidius,
Was onto Midas grauntid off Bachus.
How Bachus gaff hym—the myhti God of wyn,—
What he toucheth shal turnen into golde
As good as that which cam out off the myn,
At all assaies to been as pur and fyn.
This request, as writ Ouidius,
Was onto Midas grauntid off Bachus.
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He thouhte gold myhte hym most auaile:
What he handlid was gold with touchyng,
But whan hunger his stomak gan assaile,
His bred, his mete was cleer gold in shewyng;
And whan he gan to faile off his fedyng,
And fond in gold no recour to escape,
Besouhte Bachus sum remedi to shape.
What he handlid was gold with touchyng,
But whan hunger his stomak gan assaile,
His bred, his mete was cleer gold in shewyng;
And whan he gan to faile off his fedyng,
And fond in gold no recour to escape,
Besouhte Bachus sum remedi to shape.
Bachus bad hym go bathe in a ryuer
To wasshe a-way the colour aureat,
Wher yit is shewed the goldi grauel cleer.
Which exaumple declareth to ech estat,
That gold alone maketh men nat fortunat:
For what may gold or tresour ther auaile,
Wher men in hunger fynde no vitaile?
To wasshe a-way the colour aureat,
Wher yit is shewed the goldi grauel cleer.
Which exaumple declareth to ech estat,
That gold alone maketh men nat fortunat:
For what may gold or tresour ther auaile,
Wher men in hunger fynde no vitaile?
Or what is worth gold, perle or stonys red,
Grene emeraudis or saphir[e]s ynde,
Whan men enfamyned ha[ue] no[u]ther greyn nor bred,
Nor in such myscheeff vitaile may non fynde
For to fostre ther nature and ther kynde,—
A barli loff in such a distresse
Mor myhte auaile than al worldli richesse!
Grene emeraudis or saphir[e]s ynde,
Whan men enfamyned ha[ue] no[u]ther greyn nor bred,
Nor in such myscheeff vitaile may non fynde
For to fostre ther nature and ther kynde,—
A barli loff in such a distresse
Mor myhte auaile than al worldli richesse!
This knew Midas, & was expert in deede,
Thouh he off gold hadde so gret plente,
That with metall he myhte hymselff nat feede.
Which caused hym off necessite
To considre and cleerli for to see,
That bred mor vailith for fostryng off nature,
Than al [the] richesse that men may heer recure.
Thouh he off gold hadde so gret plente,
That with metall he myhte hymselff nat feede.
Which caused hym off necessite
To considre and cleerli for to see,
That bred mor vailith for fostryng off nature,
Than al [the] richesse that men may heer recure.
For which this kyng gan haten al richesse;
Gold and tresour he hadde eek in disdeyn,
Leffte his crowne and his roial noblesse,
And ches to keepe sheep vpon a pleyn.
Al worldli worshepe was to hym but veyn.
Off malencolie & froward pouerte,
Endid his liff in gret aduersite.
Gold and tresour he hadde eek in disdeyn,
Leffte his crowne and his roial noblesse,
And ches to keepe sheep vpon a pleyn.
Al worldli worshepe was to hym but veyn.
Off malencolie & froward pouerte,
Endid his liff in gret aduersite.
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For off ire and inpacience,
Fynally thus with hym it stood:
Furiousli in his gret indigence,
As writ Bochas, how he drank the blood
Off a bole, sauagyne and wood,
With loue enchaufid, made no delaies,
Most bestiali eendid thus his daies.
Fynally thus with hym it stood:
Furiousli in his gret indigence,
As writ Bochas, how he drank the blood
Off a bole, sauagyne and wood,
With loue enchaufid, made no delaies,
Most bestiali eendid thus his daies.
[Off Balthasar kyng of Babilone and how Danyel expowned, Mane, Techel, Phares.]
Next to Bochas, or that he was war,
As he sat writyng with ful gret labour,
Off Babilon cam grete Baltazar
To declare his sorwe and his langour.
Which had mysusid ful falsli the tresour
And the vesseles brouht fro Ierusalem,
In Babilon cheeff cite off his rewm.
As he sat writyng with ful gret labour,
Off Babilon cam grete Baltazar
To declare his sorwe and his langour.
Which had mysusid ful falsli the tresour
And the vesseles brouht fro Ierusalem,
In Babilon cheeff cite off his rewm.
For at a souper with his lordis all,
Whan off the vesselis he drank myhti wynes,
And solempli sat in his roial stall,
And round a-boute all his concubynes,
Philisophres, magiciens and dyuynes,
Ther cam an hand, the Bible doth assure,
And on the wall gan writen this scripture:
Whan off the vesselis he drank myhti wynes,
And solempli sat in his roial stall,
And round a-boute all his concubynes,
Philisophres, magiciens and dyuynes,
Ther cam an hand, the Bible doth assure,
And on the wall gan writen this scripture:
Mane techel phares wreten in his siht,
Thouh he the menyng conceyued neueradeel,
Which on the wall shewed cleer & briht,
Fro whos sentence auailed non appel.
But the prophete, hooli Danyel,
Fulli expownyd to Baltazar the kyng
The mysterie off this derk writyng.
Thouh he the menyng conceyued neueradeel,
Which on the wall shewed cleer & briht,
Fro whos sentence auailed non appel.
But the prophete, hooli Danyel,
Fulli expownyd to Baltazar the kyng
The mysterie off this derk writyng.
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“This woord Mane, pleynli and nat tarie,
In Latyn tunge betokneth in substaunce,
The daies countid & rekned the noumbrarie
Off thi regnyng & off thi gret substaunce.
And Techel sowneth a weieng in ballaunce,
In tokne thi power & kyngdam be mesure,
God hath hem peised, thei shal no while endure.
In Latyn tunge betokneth in substaunce,
The daies countid & rekned the noumbrarie
Off thi regnyng & off thi gret substaunce.
And Techel sowneth a weieng in ballaunce,
In tokne thi power & kyngdam be mesure,
God hath hem peised, thei shal no while endure.
Phares also betokneth a brekyng,
In Romayn tunge, into pecis smale;
For thi power & froward rebellyng
Shal from an hih be brouht into the vale,
This Hooli Writ & no feyned tale:
For whan pryncis wil nat ther liff redresse,
God will onwarli ther surquedie represse.
In Romayn tunge, into pecis smale;
For thi power & froward rebellyng
Shal from an hih be brouht into the vale,
This Hooli Writ & no feyned tale:
For whan pryncis wil nat ther liff redresse,
God will onwarli ther surquedie represse.
Thou wer be toknys warned longe affor,
Be many exaumple, the story ye may reede,
Bi the fallyng off Nabugodonosor,
And thou theroff took ful litil heede,
The Lord to thanke & haue his name in dreede.
For which thou shalt withynne a litil throwe
Lese sceptre & crowne, & be brouht ful lowe.”
Be many exaumple, the story ye may reede,
Bi the fallyng off Nabugodonosor,
And thou theroff took ful litil heede,
The Lord to thanke & haue his name in dreede.
For which thou shalt withynne a litil throwe
Lese sceptre & crowne, & be brouht ful lowe.”
[Lenvoye.]
Lat pryncis all this story haue in mynde,
And for themsilff[e] notabli prouide,
A[nd] namli thei that be to God onkynde,
Ther concubynes for to sette a-side,
And make vertu for to been ther guide,
Voide lecheri and fals presumpcioun,
Which haue so many brouht to destruccioun.
And for themsilff[e] notabli prouide,
A[nd] namli thei that be to God onkynde,
Ther concubynes for to sette a-side,
And make vertu for to been ther guide,
Voide lecheri and fals presumpcioun,
Which haue so many brouht to destruccioun.
Nabugodonosor hadde repentaunce,
And was restorid to his possessiouns;
But God off riht took sodenli vengaunce
On Balthasar for his transgressiouns.
Wherfore, ye Pryncis, disposith your resouns,
Afftir your meritis to ha[ue] God merciable,
For your demeritis to fynden hym vengable.
And was restorid to his possessiouns;
But God off riht took sodenli vengaunce
On Balthasar for his transgressiouns.
Wherfore, ye Pryncis, disposith your resouns,
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For your demeritis to fynden hym vengable.
Geyn hooli chirch[e] taketh no quarelis,
But aduertisith in your inward siht;
For Balthasar drank off tho vesselis
Stole fro the temple off verrai force & myht:
He loste lordshepe and liff vpon a nyht,
So that the kyngdam off Assiriens
Translatid was to Mede & Persiens.
But aduertisith in your inward siht;
For Balthasar drank off tho vesselis
Stole fro the temple off verrai force & myht:
He loste lordshepe and liff vpon a nyht,
So that the kyngdam off Assiriens
Translatid was to Mede & Persiens.
[How Cresus & balthasar were venquisshed bi Cirus and the son of Cresus slayn at huntyng of a boor.]
Next to Iohn Bochas, withynne a litil throwe,
Writyng off princis many pitous fate,
He sauh kyng Cresus, with other on þe rowe,
Lowli besechyng his fallyng to translate;
And how Fortune ageyn hym gan debate,
And off his myscheeff, doolful for to reede,
For to descryue anon he gan proceede.
Writyng off princis many pitous fate,
He sauh kyng Cresus, with other on þe rowe,
Lowli besechyng his fallyng to translate;
And how Fortune ageyn hym gan debate,
And off his myscheeff, doolful for to reede,
For to descryue anon he gan proceede.
For as it is remembrid in writyng,
As God and Kynde list for hym ordeyne,
Off Lide he was gouernour & kyng,
And lordshep hadde, the story cannat feyne,
Off many kyngdam mo than oon or tweyne;
Fame in that tyme so dede hym magnefie,
That he was callid flour off al cheualrie.
As God and Kynde list for hym ordeyne,
Off Lide he was gouernour & kyng,
And lordshep hadde, the story cannat feyne,
Off many kyngdam mo than oon or tweyne;
Fame in that tyme so dede hym magnefie,
That he was callid flour off al cheualrie.
And he was also in his tyme founde
The most expert in werre & in bataile,
And off richesse was the most habounde,
And most excellyng in conquest to preuaile—
Plente off peeple, with roial apparaile,
And with al this, to his gret auauntage,
Noumbre off childre tenbelishe his lynage.
The most expert in werre & in bataile,
And off richesse was the most habounde,
And most excellyng in conquest to preuaile—
Plente off peeple, with roial apparaile,
And with al this, to his gret auauntage,
Noumbre off childre tenbelishe his lynage.
In the most hiest off his roial see,
And al was weel & nothyng stood amys,
Yit tamenuse his felicite,
A drem he hadde; & trewli that was thys,
How that his sone, which callid was Athys,
Was take fro hym, & be mortal outrage
Slayn sodenli in his tendre age.
And al was weel & nothyng stood amys,
Yit tamenuse his felicite,
A drem he hadde; & trewli that was thys,
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Was take fro hym, & be mortal outrage
Slayn sodenli in his tendre age.
This woful drem dede hym gret distresse
And putte his herte in ful gret disespeir,
Stondyng in feer & in gret heuynesse
Because his child, tendre, yong & fair,
Which that was bor[e]n for to been his hair,
Sholde causeles in such[e] myscheeff die,
So as his drem afforn dede specefie.
And putte his herte in ful gret disespeir,
Stondyng in feer & in gret heuynesse
Because his child, tendre, yong & fair,
Which that was bor[e]n for to been his hair,
Sholde causeles in such[e] myscheeff die,
So as his drem afforn dede specefie.
Off this processe to declare moor,
How Cresus drem fulfellid was in deede:
From Olympus ther cam a wilde boor,
Most furious & sauagyne off dreede,
With fomy tusshes, which faste gan hym speede,
Doun descendyng, & nowher list abide
Til that he cam into the land off Lide,
How Cresus drem fulfellid was in deede:
From Olympus ther cam a wilde boor,
Most furious & sauagyne off dreede,
With fomy tusshes, which faste gan hym speede,
Doun descendyng, & nowher list abide
Til that he cam into the land off Lide,
And gan destroie ther fruitis & ther vynes,
Wher-euer he cam in any maner place,
Brak the nettis and the stronge lynes
Off the hunteris, that dede at hym enchace;
But vnder support off the kynges grace,
His sone and heir, off whom I spak tofor,
Gat hym licence to hunten at this boor.
Wher-euer he cam in any maner place,
Brak the nettis and the stronge lynes
Off the hunteris, that dede at hym enchace;
But vnder support off the kynges grace,
His sone and heir, off whom I spak tofor,
Gat hym licence to hunten at this boor.
His fader Cresus deemyng off this cas,
Ther was no cause off dreed in no maner,
Thouh his sone wer present at the chas
With other hunteris such game for to ler:
But ay Fortune with hir double cheer
Is reedi euere bi sum fatal treyne
At such disportis sum myscheef to ordeyne.
Ther was no cause off dreed in no maner,
Thouh his sone wer present at the chas
With other hunteris such game for to ler:
But ay Fortune with hir double cheer
Is reedi euere bi sum fatal treyne
At such disportis sum myscheef to ordeyne.
For oon ther was which hadde gouernaunce
Vpon this child tawaiten and to see,
Chacyng the boor, to saue hym fro myschaunce,
From al damage and aduersite,—
Which many lusti folk off that contre,
With hornys, houndis & sharp speris grounde,
Sekyng the boor til thei han hym founde.
Vpon this child tawaiten and to see,
Chacyng the boor, to saue hym fro myschaunce,
From al damage and aduersite,—
Which many lusti folk off that contre,
With hornys, houndis & sharp speris grounde,
Sekyng the boor til thei han hym founde.
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And as thei gan fersli this boor enchace,
He that was chargid to been the childis guide,
As with his spere he gan the boor manace,
The hed nat entred, but forbi gan to glide,
And on the child, which that stood beside,
The strook alihte, & or he dede aduerte,
The speris hed rooff hym thoruh the herte.
He that was chargid to been the childis guide,
As with his spere he gan the boor manace,
The hed nat entred, but forbi gan to glide,
And on the child, which that stood beside,
The strook alihte, & or he dede aduerte,
The speris hed rooff hym thoruh the herte.
But off this child, whan the deth was kouth,
Told & reportid hooli the manere
How he was slay[e]n in his tendre youth,
Born to been heir onto his fader deere,
Cresus for sorwe chaunged look & cheere,
And for constreynt off dool, in his visage
He resemblede a verrai ded ymage.
Told & reportid hooli the manere
How he was slay[e]n in his tendre youth,
Born to been heir onto his fader deere,
Cresus for sorwe chaunged look & cheere,
And for constreynt off dool, in his visage
He resemblede a verrai ded ymage.
But eueri sorwe, be long continuaunce,
At the laste it sumwhat must aswage;
For ther is noon so furious greuaunce,
Nor so mortal importable rage,
But long processe yeueth hym auauntage:
I meene as thus, ther is noon so gret a sorwe,
But it muste cese, outher eue or morwe.
At the laste it sumwhat must aswage;
For ther is noon so furious greuaunce,
Nor so mortal importable rage,
But long processe yeueth hym auauntage:
I meene as thus, ther is noon so gret a sorwe,
But it muste cese, outher eue or morwe.
Philisophres concluden & discerne,
And bi ther resouns recorden in scripture,
Thyng violent may nat been eterne;
Nat in o poynt a-bit noon auenture,
Nor a sorwe alway may nat endure:
For stound[e]meel thoruh Fortunys variaunce
Ther folweth ioie afftir gret greuaunce.
And bi ther resouns recorden in scripture,
Thyng violent may nat been eterne;
Nat in o poynt a-bit noon auenture,
Nor a sorwe alway may nat endure:
For stound[e]meel thoruh Fortunys variaunce
Ther folweth ioie afftir gret greuaunce.
The sorwe off Cresus, thouh it wer intollerable,
And at his herte the greuaunce sat ful sore,
Sith that his dool was irrecuperable,
And mene was non his harmys to restore,
Myn auctour Bochas writ off his wo no more,
But off his fall, how that it fill in deede,
To telle the maner forth he doth proceede.
And at his herte the greuaunce sat ful sore,
Sith that his dool was irrecuperable,
And mene was non his harmys to restore,
Myn auctour Bochas writ off his wo no more,
But off his fall, how that it fill in deede,
To telle the maner forth he doth proceede.
And for a while he set his stile a-side,
And his processe in parti he forbar
To speke off Cresus, that was kyng off Lide,
And gan resorte to write off Balthazar,
Ageyn rehersyng: or that he was war,
How myhti Cirus, off fatal auenture,
Made on hym proudli a disconfiture.
And his processe in parti he forbar
To speke off Cresus, that was kyng off Lide,
And gan resorte to write off Balthazar,
Ageyn rehersyng: or that he was war,
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Made on hym proudli a disconfiture.
And as it is put in remembraunce,
Off Balthazar to holde up the partie,
Cresus with hym had maad an alliaunce
With al his puissaunce & al his cheualrie,
His liff, his tresour to putte in iupartie,
Sworn in armis as brother onto brother,
Be Cirus venquysshed, the ton afftir the tother.
Off Balthazar to holde up the partie,
Cresus with hym had maad an alliaunce
With al his puissaunce & al his cheualrie,
His liff, his tresour to putte in iupartie,
Sworn in armis as brother onto brother,
Be Cirus venquysshed, the ton afftir the tother.
Ther bothe myscheeff no lenger was delaied,
Al-be that Cresus fauht longe in his diffence,
He fynali be Cirus was outraied
And depryued be knyhtli violence,—
Take in the feeld, ther was no resistence,
And rigorousli, to his confusioun,
With myhti fetris cast in a derk prisoun.
Al-be that Cresus fauht longe in his diffence,
He fynali be Cirus was outraied
And depryued be knyhtli violence,—
Take in the feeld, ther was no resistence,
And rigorousli, to his confusioun,
With myhti fetris cast in a derk prisoun.
And mor tencrece his gret aduersite,
A sone off his, tendre & yong off age,
That was doumb from his natyuyte
And neuer spak woord in no maner language—
Cirus comaundyng be furious outrage,
That Cresus sholde, be vengable cruelte,
Ba knyht of Perse in prisoun heuedid be,—
A sone off his, tendre & yong off age,
That was doumb from his natyuyte
And neuer spak woord in no maner language—
Cirus comaundyng be furious outrage,
That Cresus sholde, be vengable cruelte,
Ba knyht of Perse in prisoun heuedid be,—
And with his suerd as he gan manace,
Cresus taslayn withoute al reuerence,
The doumb[e] child, ther present in the place,
Which neuer had spoke, thus saide in audience:
“Withdrauh thi strok and do no violence
Onto my lord, thi fame for to confounde,
To slen a kyng that lith in prisoun bounde.”
Cresus taslayn withoute al reuerence,
The doumb[e] child, ther present in the place,
Which neuer had spoke, thus saide in audience:
“Withdrauh thi strok and do no violence
Onto my lord, thi fame for to confounde,
To slen a kyng that lith in prisoun bounde.”
The knyht astonyd, hath his strok forborn,
Gretli abaued in that derk habitacle,
Which herd a child that neuer spak toforn
A-geyn his suerd to maken an obstacle:
Ran & tolde this merueilous myracle
To myhti Cirus, with eueri circumstaunce,
Hopyng therbi tattemprid his greuaunce.
Gretli abaued in that derk habitacle,
Which herd a child that neuer spak toforn
A-geyn his suerd to maken an obstacle:
Ran & tolde this merueilous myracle
To myhti Cirus, with eueri circumstaunce,
Hopyng therbi tattemprid his greuaunce.
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But wher-as tirantis be set on cruelte,
Ther crokid malice ful hard is to appese,
So indurat is ther iniquite,
That al in vengaunce is set ther hertis ese,
Themsilff reioisshyng to seen folk in disese,
Lich as thei wer, in ther froward daunger
Clenli fraunchised fro God and his power.
Ther crokid malice ful hard is to appese,
So indurat is ther iniquite,
That al in vengaunce is set ther hertis ese,
Themsilff reioisshyng to seen folk in disese,
Lich as thei wer, in ther froward daunger
Clenli fraunchised fro God and his power.
This cruel Cirus, most vengable off desir,
Texecute his fel entent in deede,
Leet make in haste off faget a gret fir,
And gan them kyndle with many colis rede,
And made Cresus, quakyng in his dreede,
For to be take wher-as he lay ful lowe,
And bad men sholde into the fir hym throwe.
Texecute his fel entent in deede,
Leet make in haste off faget a gret fir,
And gan them kyndle with many colis rede,
And made Cresus, quakyng in his dreede,
For to be take wher-as he lay ful lowe,
And bad men sholde into the fir hym throwe.
But Iubiter, which hath this vengaunce seyn,
How cruel Cirus with malice was atteynt,
From heuene sente a tempest & a reyn,
That sodenli the horrible fir was queynt;
[And] woful Cresus, with dreedful fir maad feynt,
Escapid is his furious mortal peyne—
God and Fortune for hym list so ordeyne.
How cruel Cirus with malice was atteynt,
From heuene sente a tempest & a reyn,
That sodenli the horrible fir was queynt;
[And] woful Cresus, with dreedful fir maad feynt,
Escapid is his furious mortal peyne—
God and Fortune for hym list so ordeyne.
This auenture, in maner merueilous,
The herte off Cirus gan sumwhat to enbrace,
And caused hym for to been pitous
Ageyn Cresus, & grauntid hym this grace,
To ocupie, whil he hath liff and space,
The lond off Lide; except onli this thyng,
He sholde nat afftir no mor be callid kyng.
The herte off Cirus gan sumwhat to enbrace,
And caused hym for to been pitous
Ageyn Cresus, & grauntid hym this grace,
To ocupie, whil he hath liff and space,
The lond off Lide; except onli this thyng,
He sholde nat afftir no mor be callid kyng.
And thus off Lide the kyngdam dede fyne,
Which took his gynnyng off oon Ardisius,
And endured the space off kynges nyne,—
Look who will, the bookis telle thus.
Heroff no mor, but forth onto Cirus
I will proceede, with al my wise cure
For to translate his woful auenture.
Which took his gynnyng off oon Ardisius,
And endured the space off kynges nyne,—
Look who will, the bookis telle thus.
Heroff no mor, but forth onto Cirus
I will proceede, with al my wise cure
For to translate his woful auenture.
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[How the cruel tiraunt Cirus delited euer in slauhtre & shedyng of blood and so ended.]
Heir be discent to gret Astriages,
Poorli brouht forth, as maad is mencioun,
And hadde al Asie to his gret encres,
Holdyng that regne be iust successioun
In long quiete withoute rebellioun,
Til tyme he thouhte, in ful froward wise,
The world was smal to staunche his couetise.
Poorli brouht forth, as maad is mencioun,
And hadde al Asie to his gret encres,
Holdyng that regne be iust successioun
In long quiete withoute rebellioun,
Til tyme he thouhte, in ful froward wise,
The world was smal to staunche his couetise.
He hadde an etik most contagious
Fretyng vpon hym for desir off good,
A dropesie, hatful and furious,
Off froward rage, that made his herte wood,
A woluysh thrust to sheede manys blood,
Which ouerthwertid, be fals malencolie,
His roial corage into tirannye.
Fretyng vpon hym for desir off good,
A dropesie, hatful and furious,
Off froward rage, that made his herte wood,
A woluysh thrust to sheede manys blood,
Which ouerthwertid, be fals malencolie,
His roial corage into tirannye.
But whan he gan presumptuousli entende
To robbe and reue folk thoruh his pillage,
God & Fortune made hym to descende
Ful sodenli from his roial stage,
Demyng off pride it was a gret vauntage
To wynne londis, off verray force & myht,
Thouh in his conquest ther wer no title off ryht.
To robbe and reue folk thoruh his pillage,
God & Fortune made hym to descende
Ful sodenli from his roial stage,
Demyng off pride it was a gret vauntage
To wynne londis, off verray force & myht,
Thouh in his conquest ther wer no title off ryht.
To will he gaff hooli the souerynte,
And aduertisid nothyng to resoun,
But preferrid his sensualite
To haue lordshep & domynacioun
A-boue sad trouthe and discrecioun.
Which causith pryncis from ther estat roiall,
Or thei be war, to haue a sodeyn fall.
And aduertisid nothyng to resoun,
But preferrid his sensualite
To haue lordshep & domynacioun
A-boue sad trouthe and discrecioun.
Which causith pryncis from ther estat roiall,
Or thei be war, to haue a sodeyn fall.
For the lordshepe off al Asia
Miht nat suffise to Cirus gredynesse,
But thouhte he wolde conquere Cithia,
And ther werreie tencrece his gret richesse,
Thouh he no title hadde off rihtwisnesse,
Sauff a fals lust; wheroff men sholde ha[ue] routhe,
That will in pryncis sholde oppresse trouthe.
Miht nat suffise to Cirus gredynesse,
But thouhte he wolde conquere Cithia,
And ther werreie tencrece his gret richesse,
Thouh he no title hadde off rihtwisnesse,
Sauff a fals lust; wheroff men sholde ha[ue] routhe,
That will in pryncis sholde oppresse trouthe.
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First this Cirus all pryncis dede excell
Bothe in conquest, victorie and bataile,
Off gold & tresour, as bookis off hym tell:
Kyngdamys to wynne he dede most preuaile;
And yit too vicis dede his herte assaile,
First couetise euere tencrece in good,
With a desir to sheede mennys blood.
Bothe in conquest, victorie and bataile,
Off gold & tresour, as bookis off hym tell:
Kyngdamys to wynne he dede most preuaile;
And yit too vicis dede his herte assaile,
First couetise euere tencrece in good,
With a desir to sheede mennys blood.
With these too vices he brenneth euer in oon,
That neuer myhte from his herte twynne,
Made a gret arme toward Sceptemtrion,
And cast hym proudli to sette on & begynne,
Scithia, the myhti lond, to wynne,
Queen Thamaris ther regnyng, as I fynde,
Whos kyngdam ioyneth to Ethiope and Inde.
That neuer myhte from his herte twynne,
Made a gret arme toward Sceptemtrion,
And cast hym proudli to sette on & begynne,
Scithia, the myhti lond, to wynne,
Queen Thamaris ther regnyng, as I fynde,
Whos kyngdam ioyneth to Ethiope and Inde.
Toward the parti which is orientall,
The Se off Surrie floweth ful plenteuous
Doun to the Se callid Occidentall,
And southward renneth toward Coucasus.
And folk off Cithie that been laborious,
Which tile the lond, hanat to ther lyuynge
But onli fruitis which from the erthe sprynge.
The Se off Surrie floweth ful plenteuous
Doun to the Se callid Occidentall,
And southward renneth toward Coucasus.
And folk off Cithie that been laborious,
Which tile the lond, hanat to ther lyuynge
But onli fruitis which from the erthe sprynge.
The lond off Cithie is riche for the nonys,
For greyn and fruit a lond ful couenable,
Riche off gold, perle and precious stonys,
Riht comodious & wonder delectable;
But a gret parti is nat habitable,
The peeple dreedful to beelde ther mansiouns,
For feer off deth, because off the griffouns.
For greyn and fruit a lond ful couenable,
Riche off gold, perle and precious stonys,
Riht comodious & wonder delectable;
But a gret parti is nat habitable,
The peeple dreedful to beelde ther mansiouns,
For feer off deth, because off the griffouns.
The noble fame nor the hih renoun
Was nat ferr knowe nor Isprad a-boute
Off Thamaris, queen off that regioun,
Nor off hir noblesse, withynne nor withoute,
Till that kyng Cirus, with a ful gret route,
Into Scithia gan hym proudli dresse,
The hardi queen to spoile off hir richesse.
Was nat ferr knowe nor Isprad a-boute
Off Thamaris, queen off that regioun,
Nor off hir noblesse, withynne nor withoute,
Till that kyng Cirus, with a ful gret route,
Into Scithia gan hym proudli dresse,
The hardi queen to spoile off hir richesse.
But she, hir fame mor to magnefie,
Gan in gret haste with ful riche apparaile
Ful prudentli assemble hir cheualrie,
And took a feeld, yiff he hir wolde assaile,
Redi with hym to haue[n] a bataile.
And off hir meyne, lich as seith my book,
Onto hir sone the thridde part she took.
Gan in gret haste with ful riche apparaile
Ful prudentli assemble hir cheualrie,
And took a feeld, yiff he hir wolde assaile,
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And off hir meyne, lich as seith my book,
Onto hir sone the thridde part she took.
And gaff hym charge in the same place,
Hymsilff tacquite that day lik a knyht,
And for to meete Cirus in the face,
And nothyng dreede with hym for to fyht.
But whan kyng Cirus off hym hadde a syht,
Cast hym that day the yong[e] prynce [t]oppresse,
Rather be wilis than manhod or prowesse.
Hymsilff tacquite that day lik a knyht,
And for to meete Cirus in the face,
And nothyng dreede with hym for to fyht.
But whan kyng Cirus off hym hadde a syht,
Cast hym that day the yong[e] prynce [t]oppresse,
Rather be wilis than manhod or prowesse.
First he leet stuffe his large pauillouns
With gret plente off drynkis delectable,
Duyers metis and confecciouns
Round aboute vpon eueri table;
And in his menyng passyng deceyuable,
Lich as he hadde in maner dreedful be,
Took al his hoost & gan anon to fle.
With gret plente off drynkis delectable,
Duyers metis and confecciouns
Round aboute vpon eueri table;
And in his menyng passyng deceyuable,
Lich as he hadde in maner dreedful be,
Took al his hoost & gan anon to fle.
This yonge prynce, off menyng innocent,
Nothyng demyng as be supposaile,
But that Cirus was with his me[y]ne went
And fledde for feer, he durste hym nat assaile.
And whan he fond such plente off vittaile,
He & his knyhtis thoruh mysgouernaunce,
To ete & drynke set al ther plesaunce.
Nothyng demyng as be supposaile,
But that Cirus was with his me[y]ne went
And fledde for feer, he durste hym nat assaile.
And whan he fond such plente off vittaile,
He & his knyhtis thoruh mysgouernaunce,
To ete & drynke set al ther plesaunce.
Thei hadde off knyhthod lost al the disciplyne,
Forsook[e] Mars and put hym out off siht,
And to Bachus ther hedis gan enclyne,
Gorge vpon gorge till it drouh to nyht.
And proude Cirus cam on hem anon riht
With al his hoost, thei out off ther armure,
On bestial folk made a disconfiture.
Forsook[e] Mars and put hym out off siht,
And to Bachus ther hedis gan enclyne,
Gorge vpon gorge till it drouh to nyht.
And proude Cirus cam on hem anon riht
With al his hoost, thei out off ther armure,
On bestial folk made a disconfiture.
Cruel Cirus leffte non a-lyue,
Off hih nor low made non excepcioun,
Thei wer to feeble ageyn his myht to stryue:
For cheeff cause off ther destruccioun
Was dronkenesse, which voideth al resoun;
And wise men rehersen in sentence,
Wher folk be dronke ther is no resistence.
Off hih nor low made non excepcioun,
Thei wer to feeble ageyn his myht to stryue:
For cheeff cause off ther destruccioun
Was dronkenesse, which voideth al resoun;
And wise men rehersen in sentence,
Wher folk be dronke ther is no resistence.
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And whan this slauhtre be relacioun
Reported was and brouht to the presence
Off Thamaris, queen off that regioun,
Onto hir herte it dede ful gret offence.
But off ire and gret inpacience,
Seyng hir sone slayn in tendre age,
For sorwe almost she fill into a rage.
Reported was and brouht to the presence
Off Thamaris, queen off that regioun,
Onto hir herte it dede ful gret offence.
But off ire and gret inpacience,
Seyng hir sone slayn in tendre age,
For sorwe almost she fill into a rage.
But for al hir woful dedli peyne,
She shewed no tokne off femynyte,
But off prudence hir wepyng gan restreyne,
And caste hir pleynli auengid for to be
Vpon kyng Cirus & on his cruelte.
Sente out meyne tespien his passage,
Yiff she hym myhte fynde at a-vauntage.
She shewed no tokne off femynyte,
But off prudence hir wepyng gan restreyne,
And caste hir pleynli auengid for to be
Vpon kyng Cirus & on his cruelte.
Sente out meyne tespien his passage,
Yiff she hym myhte fynde at a-vauntage.
And with hir meyne gan feyne a maner fliht
Vp to the mounteyns, dreedful & terrible;
And Cirus afftir gan haste hym anon riht,
In hope to take hir, yiff it wer possible.
Among which hilles, mor than it is credible,
Been craggi roches, most hidous off entaile,
Pereilous off passage & void off al vitaile.
Vp to the mounteyns, dreedful & terrible;
And Cirus afftir gan haste hym anon riht,
In hope to take hir, yiff it wer possible.
Among which hilles, mor than it is credible,
Been craggi roches, most hidous off entaile,
Pereilous off passage & void off al vitaile.
And Cirus ther fill in gret daunger,
Al onpurueied off drogeman or guide;
To fostre his peeple vitaile was non ther,
Erryng as beestis vpon eueri side.
And thei off Scithie gan for hym so prouide,
Wheroff ther queen[e], God wot, was ful fayn,
At gret myscheeff that al his men wer slayn.
Al onpurueied off drogeman or guide;
To fostre his peeple vitaile was non ther,
Erryng as beestis vpon eueri side.
And thei off Scithie gan for hym so prouide,
Wheroff ther queen[e], God wot, was ful fayn,
At gret myscheeff that al his men wer slayn.
Non off alle was take to ransoun,
Nor he hymsilff escapid nat ther boundis,
Such wait was leid to his destruccioun.
And he thoruh perced with many mortal woundis,
On pecis rent, as beris been with houndis,
The queen comaundyng, whan he lay thus totorn,
To hir presence his bodi to be born.
Nor he hymsilff escapid nat ther boundis,
Such wait was leid to his destruccioun.
And he thoruh perced with many mortal woundis,
On pecis rent, as beris been with houndis,
The queen comaundyng, whan he lay thus totorn,
To hir presence his bodi to be born.
First she hath chargid to smyte off his hed,
Whan she thus hath the victorie off hym wonne.
And in a bath, that was off blood al red,
She gan it throwe, withynne a litil tonne.
And off despiht riht thus she hath begonne,
Most tirantli in hir woful rage,
To dede Cirus to hauen this language:
Whan she thus hath the victorie off hym wonne.
And in a bath, that was off blood al red,
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And off despiht riht thus she hath begonne,
Most tirantli in hir woful rage,
To dede Cirus to hauen this language:
“O thou Cirus, that whilom wer so wood
And so thrustleuh in thi tirannye,
Ageyn Nature to sheede manys blood,
So woluyssh was thyn hatful dropisie,
That merci non myhte it modefie,
Thyn etik ioyned, gredi and onstable,
With thrust off slauhtre ay to be vengable!”
And so thrustleuh in thi tirannye,
Ageyn Nature to sheede manys blood,
So woluyssh was thyn hatful dropisie,
That merci non myhte it modefie,
Thyn etik ioyned, gredi and onstable,
With thrust off slauhtre ay to be vengable!”
It is an horrour in maner for to thynke
So gret a prynce rebuked for to be
Off a woman, manys blood to drynke,
For to disclaundre his roiall maieste.
But gladli euer vengable cruelte
Off riht requereth, with onwar violence
Blood shad for blood iustli to recompence.
So gret a prynce rebuked for to be
Off a woman, manys blood to drynke,
For to disclaundre his roiall maieste.
But gladli euer vengable cruelte
Off riht requereth, with onwar violence
Blood shad for blood iustli to recompence.
Off myhti Cirus thymperial noblesse
Was bi a woman venquysshid & bor doun;
God made hir chastise his furious woodnesse,
And for toppresse his famous hih renoun:
For wher vengaunce hath dominacioun
In worldli pryncis, pleynli to deuyse,
With onwar strok God can hem weel chastise.
Was bi a woman venquysshid & bor doun;
God made hir chastise his furious woodnesse,
And for toppresse his famous hih renoun:
For wher vengaunce hath dominacioun
In worldli pryncis, pleynli to deuyse,
With onwar strok God can hem weel chastise.
The eende off Cirus can ber ful weel record,
How God withstondith folk that be vengable;
Lordshepe & mercy, whan thei been at discord,
Riht wil nat suffre ther staat to stonde stable.
And for this Cirus was so onmerciable,
He with onmerci punshed was in deede:
Deth quit for deth; loo, heer his fynal meede!
How God withstondith folk that be vengable;
Lordshepe & mercy, whan thei been at discord,
Riht wil nat suffre ther staat to stonde stable.
And for this Cirus was so onmerciable,
He with onmerci punshed was in deede:
Deth quit for deth; loo, heer his fynal meede!
In slauhtre & blood he dede hym most delite;
For in tho tweyne was his repast in deede.
He fond no mercy his vengaunce to respite
Wher he fond mater any blood to sheede,
Such ioie he hadde be deth to see folk bleede;
And for the siht dede hym so mekil good,
His fatal eende was for to swymme in blood.
For in tho tweyne was his repast in deede.
He fond no mercy his vengaunce to respite
Wher he fond mater any blood to sheede,
Such ioie he hadde be deth to see folk bleede;
And for the siht dede hym so mekil good,
His fatal eende was for to swymme in blood.
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Loo, heer thexequies off this myhti kyng!
Loo, heer the eende off his estat roiall!—
Ther wer no flawmys nor brondis cleer shynyng
To brenne his bodi with fires funerall,
Nor obseruaunces nor offrynges marciall,
Nor tumbe off gold with stonys riche & fyne
Was non ordeyned that day to make his shryne!
Loo, heer the eende off his estat roiall!—
Ther wer no flawmys nor brondis cleer shynyng
To brenne his bodi with fires funerall,
Nor obseruaunces nor offrynges marciall,
Nor tumbe off gold with stonys riche & fyne
Was non ordeyned that day to make his shryne!
Epitaphie ther was non rad nor sunge
Be no poete with ther poetries,
Nor off his tryumphes ther was no belle runge,
Nor no weperis with sobbyng tragedies,—
Non attendaunce, but off his enmyes,
Which off hatrede in ther cruel rage
Cast out his kareyn to beestis most sauage.
Be no poete with ther poetries,
Nor off his tryumphes ther was no belle runge,
Nor no weperis with sobbyng tragedies,—
Non attendaunce, but off his enmyes,
Which off hatrede in ther cruel rage
Cast out his kareyn to beestis most sauage.
Loo, heer off Cirus the fynal auenture,
Which off al Asie was whilom emperour!
Now lith he abiect, withoute sepulture,
Off hih ne low he fond no bet fauour.
Loo, heer the fyn off al worldli labour,
Namli off tirantis, which list nat God to dreede,
But set ther lust in slauhtre, & blood to sheede!
Which off al Asie was whilom emperour!
Now lith he abiect, withoute sepulture,
Off hih ne low he fond no bet fauour.
Loo, heer the fyn off al worldli labour,
Namli off tirantis, which list nat God to dreede,
But set ther lust in slauhtre, & blood to sheede!
Lenvoye.
Ryht noble Princis, considreth in your siht
The fyn off Cirus, pitous & lamentable,
How God punsheth off equite & riht
Tirantis echon, cruel and vengable:
For in his siht it is abhomynable,
That a prynce, as philisophres write,
In slauhtre off men sholde hymsilff delite.
The fyn off Cirus, pitous & lamentable,
How God punsheth off equite & riht
Tirantis echon, cruel and vengable:
For in his siht it is abhomynable,
That a prynce, as philisophres write,
In slauhtre off men sholde hymsilff delite.
This said[e] Cirus was a ful manli knyht,
In his begynnyng riht famous & notable,
Nature gaff hym semlynesse & myht;
For in conquest was non seyn mor hable,
Till tirannye, the serpent deceyuable,
Merciles his corage dede atwite,
In slauhtre off men whan he hym gan delite.
In his begynnyng riht famous & notable,
Nature gaff hym semlynesse & myht;
For in conquest was non seyn mor hable,
Till tirannye, the serpent deceyuable,
Merciles his corage dede atwite,
In slauhtre off men whan he hym gan delite.
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Wherfore, ye Princis, remembreth day & nyht
Tafforce your noblesse & make it perdurable,
To gete you fauour & loue off euery wyht,
Which shal your statis conserue & keepe stable:
For ther is conquest non so honourable
In gouernaunce, as vengaunce to respite,
Merci preferryng, in slauhtre nat delite.
Tafforce your noblesse & make it perdurable,
To gete you fauour & loue off euery wyht,
Which shal your statis conserue & keepe stable:
For ther is conquest non so honourable
In gouernaunce, as vengaunce to respite,
Merci preferryng, in slauhtre nat delite.
[How Amilius for couetise slouh his brothir and Remus and Romulus norisshed by a woluesse.]
Afftir kyng Cirus, Bochas dede espie
Too worthi brethre, with facis [ful] pitous,
Born be discent to regne in Albanye,
Bothe off o fadir, the story tellith vs.
The ton off hem callid Amylius,
And to remembre the name [eek] off the tother,
Muniter Icallid was his brother.
Too worthi brethre, with facis [ful] pitous,
Born be discent to regne in Albanye,
Bothe off o fadir, the story tellith vs.
The ton off hem callid Amylius,
And to remembre the name [eek] off the tother,
Muniter Icallid was his brother.
Thei hadde a fader, which named was Prochas,
Kyng off that lond, the story doth deuyse.
Afftir whos deth[e], pleynli this the cas,
Amilius for fals[e] couetise
His brother slouh in ful cruel wise,
That he oniustli, be fals[e] tirannye,
Miht ha[ue] the kyngdam alone off Albanye.
Kyng off that lond, the story doth deuyse.
Afftir whos deth[e], pleynli this the cas,
Amilius for fals[e] couetise
His brother slouh in ful cruel wise,
That he oniustli, be fals[e] tirannye,
Miht ha[ue] the kyngdam alone off Albanye.
This Albania be descripcioun,
Lik as Bochas affermeth in certeyn,
Ys a cite nat ferr fro Rome toun,
Set on an hill beside a large pleyn,
The beeldyng statli, riche and weel beseyn,
Stronge Iwallid, with many riche tour,
And Ascanius was first theroff foundour.
Lik as Bochas affermeth in certeyn,
Ys a cite nat ferr fro Rome toun,
Set on an hill beside a large pleyn,
The beeldyng statli, riche and weel beseyn,
Stronge Iwallid, with many riche tour,
And Ascanius was first theroff foundour.
Which callid was in his fundacioun
Albania, for the gret whihtnesse;
Ther kynges afftir be successioun
Named Albanoys, princis off gret noblesse.
And be discent, the story berth witnesse,
Fro kyng Prochas, record on bookis olde,
Cam these too brethre, & Rea, ther suster, tolde.
Albania, for the gret whihtnesse;
Ther kynges afftir be successioun
Named Albanoys, princis off gret noblesse.
And be discent, the story berth witnesse,
Fro kyng Prochas, record on bookis olde,
Cam these too brethre, & Rea, ther suster, tolde.
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Muniter slayn, as maad is mencioun,
The kyngdam ocupied be Amilius;
And Rea entred into relegioun,
For to be wympled in that hooli hous
Sacred to Vesta, with virgynys glorious,
Ther for tabide and be contemplatiff,
With othre maidnes, duryng al hir liff.
The kyngdam ocupied be Amilius;
And Rea entred into relegioun,
For to be wympled in that hooli hous
Sacred to Vesta, with virgynys glorious,
Ther for tabide and be contemplatiff,
With othre maidnes, duryng al hir liff.
And this was doon whil she was yong off age
Bi hir brother, off fals entencioun,
That she sholde ha[ue] no maner heritage,
Nor cleyme no title in that regioun
Off hir kynreede be non occasioun,
But stonde professid to virgynyte
Tofor Vesta, and lyue in chastite.
Bi hir brother, off fals entencioun,
That she sholde ha[ue] no maner heritage,
Nor cleyme no title in that regioun
Off hir kynreede be non occasioun,
But stonde professid to virgynyte
Tofor Vesta, and lyue in chastite.
Yit natwithstandyng hir virgynal clennesse,
She hath conceyued be natural miracle;
Gan to encrece in hir hoolynesse,
Whos wombe aroos, in Kynde was noon obstacle:
Ageyn such bollyng auaileth no triacle;
But the goddesse for hir so dede ordeyne,
That she attonys hadde sonys tweyne.
She hath conceyued be natural miracle;
Gan to encrece in hir hoolynesse,
Whos wombe aroos, in Kynde was noon obstacle:
Ageyn such bollyng auaileth no triacle;
But the goddesse for hir so dede ordeyne,
That she attonys hadde sonys tweyne.
The temple off Vesta stood in wildirnesse,
Wher Rea hadde hooli the gouernaunce
Off preestli honour doon to the goddesse,
With many straunge vnkouth obseruaunce.
But bi hir brothris mortal ordenaunce,
Hir yonge sonys myhte nat be socourid,
But cast out to beestis to be deuourid.
Wher Rea hadde hooli the gouernaunce
Off preestli honour doon to the goddesse,
With many straunge vnkouth obseruaunce.
But bi hir brothris mortal ordenaunce,
Hir yonge sonys myhte nat be socourid,
But cast out to beestis to be deuourid.
But a she-wolff, which whelpid hadde late,
To yeue hem souke dede hir besynesse,
Be God ordeyned, or be sum heuenli fate,
Them to conserue fro deth in ther distresse.
For Hooli Writ pleynli ber[i]th witnesse,
God can diffende, as it is weel kouth,
Childre fro myscheeff in ther tendre youth.
To yeue hem souke dede hir besynesse,
Be God ordeyned, or be sum heuenli fate,
Them to conserue fro deth in ther distresse.
For Hooli Writ pleynli ber[i]th witnesse,
God can diffende, as it is weel kouth,
Childre fro myscheeff in ther tendre youth.
But in this while this said Amilius,
That was ther vncle, as maad is mencioun,
Ageyn his suster froward & furious,
Made hir be shet in a ful derk presoun;
And ther compleynyng the destruccioun
Off hir too childre born to hir repreeff,
For veray sorwe deied at gret myscheeff.
That was ther vncle, as maad is mencioun,
Ageyn his suster froward & furious,
Made hir be shet in a ful derk presoun;
313
Off hir too childre born to hir repreeff,
For veray sorwe deied at gret myscheeff.
These said[e] childre, deuoid off al refut,
Beside a ryuer lay pitousli crieng,
From al socour naked & destitut,
Except a woluesse vpon hem awaityng,
At whos wombe ful stille thei lay sowkyng,
Onto Nature a thyng contrarious,
Childre to souke off beestis rauynous.
Beside a ryuer lay pitousli crieng,
From al socour naked & destitut,
Except a woluesse vpon hem awaityng,
At whos wombe ful stille thei lay sowkyng,
Onto Nature a thyng contrarious,
Childre to souke off beestis rauynous.
But he, this Lord off eueri creature,
Riht as hym list[e] can bothe saue & spille;
And beestis which be rage off ther nature,
He can adaunt & make hem li ful stille,—
Tigres, leouns obeien at his wille.
The same Lord hath maad a fell woluesse
Onto twei childre hir bigges for to dresse.
Riht as hym list[e] can bothe saue & spille;
And beestis which be rage off ther nature,
He can adaunt & make hem li ful stille,—
Tigres, leouns obeien at his wille.
The same Lord hath maad a fell woluesse
Onto twei childre hir bigges for to dresse.
And whil this woluesse hadde hem in depos,
Ther cam an heerde callid Faustulus,
Beheeld ther sowkyng & sauh hem lyn ful clos,
Which shepperde was off kyng Amilius,
Cauht up these childre, the story tellith thus,
And brouht hem hom with ful gret dilligence
Onto his wiff, that callid was Laurence.
Ther cam an heerde callid Faustulus,
Beheeld ther sowkyng & sauh hem lyn ful clos,
Which shepperde was off kyng Amilius,
Cauht up these childre, the story tellith thus,
And brouht hem hom with ful gret dilligence
Onto his wiff, that callid was Laurence.
And she for loue dede hir besi peyne
Them to fostre till thei cam to age,
Gaff them sowken off hir brestis tweyne
Fro day to day, off herte and hool corage.
And thei wer callid as in that language,
Afftir the story, the ton off hem Remus,
And the seconde was named Romulus.
Them to fostre till thei cam to age,
Gaff them sowken off hir brestis tweyne
Fro day to day, off herte and hool corage.
And thei wer callid as in that language,
Afftir the story, the ton off hem Remus,
And the seconde was named Romulus.
Off which[e] brethre, brefli to termyne,
The toun off Rome took his origynall.
Off fals disclaundre first began that lyne,
The roote out souht, ful vicious founde att all,
Cleerli remembred for a memoriall,
Ther gynnyng greuh off such incontinence
As clerkis call incestus in sentence.
The toun off Rome took his origynall.
Off fals disclaundre first began that lyne,
The roote out souht, ful vicious founde att all,
Cleerli remembred for a memoriall,
Ther gynnyng greuh off such incontinence
As clerkis call incestus in sentence.
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Incestus is a thyng nat fair nor good,
Afftir that bookis weel deuise cunne,
As trespasyng with kyn or with blood,
Or froward medlyng with hir that is a nunne.
And thus the lyne off Rome was begunne:
For slauhtre, moordre & fals robberie
Was cheeff gynnyng off al ther auncetrie.
Afftir that bookis weel deuise cunne,
As trespasyng with kyn or with blood,
Or froward medlyng with hir that is a nunne.
And thus the lyne off Rome was begunne:
For slauhtre, moordre & fals robberie
Was cheeff gynnyng off al ther auncetrie.
Off couetise thei took ther auauntage,
Liggeris off weies & robbours openli,
Moordrers also off ther owne lynage,
And strengest theuys gat to ther cumpany,
Spoilyng all tho that passed hem forby;
Vnder shadwe off kepyng ther beestaile,
Al maner peeple thei proudli dede assaile.
Liggeris off weies & robbours openli,
Moordrers also off ther owne lynage,
And strengest theuys gat to ther cumpany,
Spoilyng all tho that passed hem forby;
Vnder shadwe off kepyng ther beestaile,
Al maner peeple thei proudli dede assaile.
To slen marchantis, thei had no conscience,
And for to moordre folk off eueri age,
Women toppresse off force and violence,
In al that cuntre this was ther vsage:
Wher thei abood ther was no seur passage;
And these too brethre, lik as it is founde,
Fond first the maner off speris sharp Igrounde.
And for to moordre folk off eueri age,
Women toppresse off force and violence,
In al that cuntre this was ther vsage:
Wher thei abood ther was no seur passage;
And these too brethre, lik as it is founde,
Fond first the maner off speris sharp Igrounde.
A spere in Greek[e] callid is quiris,
And for that cause, the said[e] Romulus,
As bookis seyn, and sothli so it is,
He afftirward was callid Quirinus.
Which with his brother, that namyd was Remus,
Was in alle thynge confederat & partable,
That tofor God was vicious & dampnable.
And for that cause, the said[e] Romulus,
As bookis seyn, and sothli so it is,
He afftirward was callid Quirinus.
Which with his brother, that namyd was Remus,
Was in alle thynge confederat & partable,
That tofor God was vicious & dampnable.
And as it was accordyng to ther liff,
For lak off vertu thei fill in gret diffame;
And atwen hem ther was an vnkouth striff,
Which off bothe sholde yeue the name
Onto the cite, atwen ernest & game,
Afftir ther namys Rome to be callid.
Thus fill the cas afforn or it was wallid.
For lak off vertu thei fill in gret diffame;
And atwen hem ther was an vnkouth striff,
Which off bothe sholde yeue the name
Onto the cite, atwen ernest & game,
Afftir ther namys Rome to be callid.
Thus fill the cas afforn or it was wallid.
And therupon ful longe last ther stryues,
Which sholde off hem ha[ue] dominacioun,
Shewyng ther titles & prerogatyues,
Who sholde off hem yeue name to the toun
And regne as kyng in that regioun.
Ther was no resoun who sholde go beforn,
Because thei wer[e]n bothe attonys born.
Which sholde off hem ha[ue] dominacioun,
Shewyng ther titles & prerogatyues,
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And regne as kyng in that regioun.
Ther was no resoun who sholde go beforn,
Because thei wer[e]n bothe attonys born.
But to fynysshe ther fraternal discord,
Thei han prouyded atwen hem anon riht;
Thus condescendyng to put hem at accord
Nouther be force, oppressioun nor myht,
That which off hem first sauh grettest fliht
Off briddes fleen hie vpon an hill,
Sholde name the cite at his owne will.
Thei han prouyded atwen hem anon riht;
Thus condescendyng to put hem at accord
Nouther be force, oppressioun nor myht,
That which off hem first sauh grettest fliht
Off briddes fleen hie vpon an hill,
Sholde name the cite at his owne will.
Off this accord for to ber witnesse,
Thei with hem ladde a ful gret multitude,
Theron to yeue a doom off rihtwisnesse,
Bothe off wise and off peeplis rude,
All attonys this mateer to conclude.
And vp tan hill[e] callid Auentyne,
Thei been ascendid this mateer for to fyne.
Thei with hem ladde a ful gret multitude,
Theron to yeue a doom off rihtwisnesse,
Bothe off wise and off peeplis rude,
All attonys this mateer to conclude.
And vp tan hill[e] callid Auentyne,
Thei been ascendid this mateer for to fyne.
And birdis sexe to Remus dede appeere,
Bi augurie as thei gan proceede,
Callid vultures, ful fers in ther manere.
But the noumbre in double dede exceede,
That Romulus sauh, whan he took good heede.
Wheroff ther fill a gret contrauersie,
Which off hem sholde preuaile on his partie.
Bi augurie as thei gan proceede,
Callid vultures, ful fers in ther manere.
But the noumbre in double dede exceede,
That Romulus sauh, whan he took good heede.
Wheroff ther fill a gret contrauersie,
Which off hem sholde preuaile on his partie.
Thus first off all[e] Remus hadde a siht
Off sexe birdis callid vultures,
And for tauaunce and preferre his riht,
He ful proudli put hymsilff in pres.
But Romulus was nat rek[e]les,
His brothres cleym pleynli to entrouble,
Afforced his title with the noumbre double.
Off sexe birdis callid vultures,
And for tauaunce and preferre his riht,
He ful proudli put hymsilff in pres.
But Romulus was nat rek[e]les,
His brothres cleym pleynli to entrouble,
Afforced his title with the noumbre double.
Yit off his purpos on off hem mut faile,
Thouh it so be that thei euer stryue;
But Romulus gan fynali preuaile,
And to the cite foorth he wente blyue.
And, as auctours list echon descryue,
And in ther bookis as thei rehersen all,
Afftir his name Rome he dede it call.
Thouh it so be that thei euer stryue;
But Romulus gan fynali preuaile,
And to the cite foorth he wente blyue.
And, as auctours list echon descryue,
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Afftir his name Rome he dede it call.
And all foreyn[e]s for texcluden oute,
And ageyn hem to make strong diffence,
First he began to walle it round aboute,
And made a lawe ful dreedful in sentence:
Who clamb the wall be any violence,
Outward or inward, there is no mor to seie,
Be statut maad, he muste needis deie.
And ageyn hem to make strong diffence,
First he began to walle it round aboute,
And made a lawe ful dreedful in sentence:
Who clamb the wall be any violence,
Outward or inward, there is no mor to seie,
Be statut maad, he muste needis deie.
This was enact be ful pleyn ordynaunce,
In peyne off deth, which no man breke shall.
But so befill, Remus off ignoraunce,
Which off the statut kneuh nothyng att all,
Off auenture wente ouer the wall.
For which a knyht ordeyned in certayn,
The said[e] Remus with a pekeis slayn.
In peyne off deth, which no man breke shall.
But so befill, Remus off ignoraunce,
Which off the statut kneuh nothyng att all,
Off auenture wente ouer the wall.
For which a knyht ordeyned in certayn,
The said[e] Remus with a pekeis slayn.
His brother list nat in no maner wise
Ageyn the lawe to be fauourable,
But assentid, parcel for couetise,
Vpon Remus to be mor vengable,
Off this entent, to make his regne stable,
That he alone myhte gouerne & non other,
Be no claym founde nor brouht in bi his brother.
Ageyn the lawe to be fauourable,
But assentid, parcel for couetise,
Vpon Remus to be mor vengable,
Off this entent, to make his regne stable,
That he alone myhte gouerne & non other,
Be no claym founde nor brouht in bi his brother.
And that the peeple sholde hem mor delite,
Ther tabide and ha[ue] possessioun,
As olde auctours off Romulus do write,
Withynne the boundis off the same toun,
That he deuysed, bi gret prouisioun,
In cumpas round, so cronycles compile,
A teritorie that callid was Asile.
Ther tabide and ha[ue] possessioun,
As olde auctours off Romulus do write,
Withynne the boundis off the same toun,
That he deuysed, bi gret prouisioun,
In cumpas round, so cronycles compile,
A teritorie that callid was Asile.
This Asilum be Romulus deuised,
Was a place off refuge and socours,
Lik a theatre, with libertes fraunchised,
For to resseyue all foreyn trespassours,
Theuys, moordreris, weiliggeris & robbours,
Be gret resort, withynne the wallis wide,
To fostre all bribours that nowher durste abide.
Was a place off refuge and socours,
Lik a theatre, with libertes fraunchised,
For to resseyue all foreyn trespassours,
Theuys, moordreris, weiliggeris & robbours,
Be gret resort, withynne the wallis wide,
To fostre all bribours that nowher durste abide.
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And with fled peeple fro dyuers regiouns,
The cite gan tencrece & multeplie;
And banshed folk off straunge naciouns
To fynde refuge thedir gan hem hie.
And thus be processe gan ther cheualrie
First thoruh tirantis, rekles off werkyng,
Till al the world obeied ther biddyng.
The cite gan tencrece & multeplie;
And banshed folk off straunge naciouns
To fynde refuge thedir gan hem hie.
And thus be processe gan ther cheualrie
First thoruh tirantis, rekles off werkyng,
Till al the world obeied ther biddyng.
Off wilfull force withoute title off riht
Thei brouht al peeple vnder subieccioun.
A cleym thei made be violence & myht,
And took non heed off trouthe nor resoun.
And the first auctour off ther fundacioun
Was Romulus, that gadred al this route
Withynne the cite, & wallid it round aboute.
Thei brouht al peeple vnder subieccioun.
A cleym thei made be violence & myht,
And took non heed off trouthe nor resoun.
And the first auctour off ther fundacioun
Was Romulus, that gadred al this route
Withynne the cite, & wallid it round aboute.
And many day, as maad is mencioun,
He hadde that cite in his gouernaunce;
And was the firste kyng crownyd in that toun,
And regned ther be contynuaunce
Ful many yeris, till the variaunce
Off Fortune, thoruh hir fals envie,
In Campania made hym for to die
He hadde that cite in his gouernaunce;
And was the firste kyng crownyd in that toun,
And regned ther be contynuaunce
Ful many yeris, till the variaunce
Off Fortune, thoruh hir fals envie,
In Campania made hym for to die
Vpon a day whan it gan thundre loude,
His name for euere to be mor magnefied.
Summe bookis seyn, he was rapt in a cloude,
Hih up in heuene to be stellefied,
With othre goddis estatli deified,
Ther to be stallid be Iubiteris side,
Lik for his knyhtis as Mars list prouide.
His name for euere to be mor magnefied.
Summe bookis seyn, he was rapt in a cloude,
Hih up in heuene to be stellefied,
With othre goddis estatli deified,
Ther to be stallid be Iubiteris side,
Lik for his knyhtis as Mars list prouide.
Loo, heer off paynymys a fals opynyoun,
To Cristes lawe contrarie and odious,
That tirantis sholde for fals oppressioun
Be callid goddis or named glorious,
Which bi ther lyue wer founde vicious:
For this pleyn trouthe, I dar it riht weel tell,
Thei rathere be feendis ful deepe in hell.
To Cristes lawe contrarie and odious,
That tirantis sholde for fals oppressioun
Be callid goddis or named glorious,
Which bi ther lyue wer founde vicious:
For this pleyn trouthe, I dar it riht weel tell,
Thei rathere be feendis ful deepe in hell.
For but in erthe ther dominacioun
Conveied be bi vertuous noblesse,
And that ther power & ther hih renoun
Be set on trouthe and on rihtwisnesse,
Lich ther estatis, in prynce or in pryncesse,
I dar afferme off them bothe tweyne,
For vicious lyuyng thei mut endure peyne.
Conveied be bi vertuous noblesse,
And that ther power & ther hih renoun
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Lich ther estatis, in prynce or in pryncesse,
I dar afferme off them bothe tweyne,
For vicious lyuyng thei mut endure peyne.
But whan thei been feithful off entent,
Riht and trouthe iustli to meynteene,
And in ther roial power be nat blent,
Wrongis redressyng & poore folk susteene,
And so contynue, with conscience most cleene,
Such liff, mor rathe than pompe of worldli werris,
Shal make hem regne in heuene aboue the sterris.
Riht and trouthe iustli to meynteene,
And in ther roial power be nat blent,
Wrongis redressyng & poore folk susteene,
And so contynue, with conscience most cleene,
Such liff, mor rathe than pompe of worldli werris,
Shal make hem regne in heuene aboue the sterris.
For which lat pryncis vndirstonde attonys,
And worldli princesses, with al ther gret richesse,
That ther hih hornys, fret with riche stonys,
Toward heuene ther passage doth nat dresse.
But vertuous liff, charite and meeknesse,
Whan thei list pride out off ther herte arace,
That causeth hem in heuene to wynne a place.
And worldli princesses, with al ther gret richesse,
That ther hih hornys, fret with riche stonys,
Toward heuene ther passage doth nat dresse.
But vertuous liff, charite and meeknesse,
Whan thei list pride out off ther herte arace,
That causeth hem in heuene to wynne a place.
Ther is no mor straunge abusioun,
Nor tofor God grettere ydolatrie,
Than whan pryncis list cachche affeccioun
Creaturis falsli to deifie,
Be collusioun brouht in be sorcerie.
Now God diffende alle princis weel disposid,
With such fals crafft neuer to been enosid!
Nor tofor God grettere ydolatrie,
Than whan pryncis list cachche affeccioun
Creaturis falsli to deifie,
Be collusioun brouht in be sorcerie.
Now God diffende alle princis weel disposid,
With such fals crafft neuer to been enosid!
And that ther eyen bi non illusiouns
Be nat englued nouther with hook nor lyne,
Nor be no baites off fressh inspecciouns,
Wrouht bi Cirenes, be drynk or medicyne,
Which off ther nature resemble to a shryne,
Thoruh richesse outward & beute souereyne,—
And, who looke inward, be lik a foul kareyne.
Be nat englued nouther with hook nor lyne,
Nor be no baites off fressh inspecciouns,
Wrouht bi Cirenes, be drynk or medicyne,
Which off ther nature resemble to a shryne,
Thoruh richesse outward & beute souereyne,—
And, who looke inward, be lik a foul kareyne.
God off his grace amende al such outrage
In noble pryncis, & saue hem fro such werre,
And hem enlumyne, disposyng ther corage
In such fals worshepe that thei no mor ne erre;
Lik to Argus that thei mai seen a-ferre,
That no fals fagyng cause hem to be blynde,
Goddis nor goddessis to worshepe ageyn kynde.
In noble pryncis, & saue hem fro such werre,
319
In such fals worshepe that thei no mor ne erre;
Lik to Argus that thei mai seen a-ferre,
That no fals fagyng cause hem to be blynde,
Goddis nor goddessis to worshepe ageyn kynde.
And thouh that Romeyns dede worshepe & honour
To Romulus, bi a constreynt[e] dreede,
Lat no man take exaumple off ther errour,
But to that Lord whos sides were maad rede
To saue mankynde, and on a crosse was dede,—
Lat men to hym in cheeff ther loue obserue,
Which can hem quite bet than thei can disserue.
To Romulus, bi a constreynt[e] dreede,
Lat no man take exaumple off ther errour,
But to that Lord whos sides were maad rede
To saue mankynde, and on a crosse was dede,—
Lat men to hym in cheeff ther loue obserue,
Which can hem quite bet than thei can disserue.
[How Mecyus kyng of Albanoys beyng fals of his othe and assuraunce/was drawen in to pecys.]
Next Romulus, with teris al bespreynt
Onto Iohn Bochas appered Mecius,
Off cheer & look, & off his port ful feynt,
His fall declaryng, froward and despitous.
And he was callid eek Suffecius,
Louh off birthe, and symple in vpgrowyng,
Off Albanoys till Fortune made hym kyng.
Onto Iohn Bochas appered Mecius,
Off cheer & look, & off his port ful feynt,
His fall declaryng, froward and despitous.
And he was callid eek Suffecius,
Louh off birthe, and symple in vpgrowyng,
Off Albanoys till Fortune made hym kyng.
Ageyn whos pride the Romayns gan werreie,
Ful myhtili oppressyng his cuntre;
And for kyng Mecius list hem nat obeie,
Thei caste hem fulli auengid for to be,—
Because his berthe was but off low degre,
And was rise up onto estat roiall,
Thei hem purpose yeue hym a sodeyn fall.
Ful myhtili oppressyng his cuntre;
And for kyng Mecius list hem nat obeie,
Thei caste hem fulli auengid for to be,—
Because his berthe was but off low degre,
And was rise up onto estat roiall,
Thei hem purpose yeue hym a sodeyn fall.
Hasti clymbyng off pouert set on heihte,
Whan wrong[e] title maketh hym to ascende,
With onwar peis off his owne weihte,
A sodeyn fall maketh hym to descende,
Whan he list nat off surquedie entende
Fro whens he cam, nor hymsilff to knowe,
Till God & Fortune his pompe hath ouerthrowe.
Whan wrong[e] title maketh hym to ascende,
With onwar peis off his owne weihte,
A sodeyn fall maketh hym to descende,
Whan he list nat off surquedie entende
Fro whens he cam, nor hymsilff to knowe,
Till God & Fortune his pompe hath ouerthrowe.
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For this Mecius off presumpcioun
Thouhte ageyn Romeyns his pride myhte auaile,
Gan werre ageyn hem be rebellioun,
Was nat feerful ther noblesse to assaile,
Till on a day was signed a bataile,
Bothe ther hoostis withynne a feeld to meete,
To take ther part, were it off sour or sueete.
Thouhte ageyn Romeyns his pride myhte auaile,
Gan werre ageyn hem be rebellioun,
Was nat feerful ther noblesse to assaile,
Till on a day was signed a bataile,
Bothe ther hoostis withynne a feeld to meete,
To take ther part, were it off sour or sueete.
That tyme in Rome regned Hostilius,
A manli man and a ful worthi knyht;
Tween hym concludid and kyng Mecius,
Thei tweyne to meete in steel armed bryht,
For bothe batailes to trien out the ryht
Be iust accord, and therfro nat varie,
The parti venquysshid to be tributarie,
A manli man and a ful worthi knyht;
Tween hym concludid and kyng Mecius,
Thei tweyne to meete in steel armed bryht,
For bothe batailes to trien out the ryht
Be iust accord, and therfro nat varie,
The parti venquysshid to be tributarie,
And hooli put hym in subieccioun,
Withoute entretyng or any mor delay.
And fynali, for short conclusioun,
Kyng Hostilius the tryumphe wan that day,
That Albenoys ne koude nat sey nay,
But that Romeyns, as put is in memorie,
Be synguler bataile hadde wonne the victorie.
Withoute entretyng or any mor delay.
And fynali, for short conclusioun,
Kyng Hostilius the tryumphe wan that day,
That Albenoys ne koude nat sey nay,
But that Romeyns, as put is in memorie,
Be synguler bataile hadde wonne the victorie.
Thus hadde Romayns first possessioun
Off Albanoys tobeie hem & to dreede,
Mecius yolde, and sworn onto the toun
Neuer to rebell, for fauour nor for meede.
But for he was double founde in deede
Off his assuraunce, & fals to ther cite,
He was chastised, anon as ye shal see.
Off Albanoys tobeie hem & to dreede,
Mecius yolde, and sworn onto the toun
Neuer to rebell, for fauour nor for meede.
But for he was double founde in deede
Off his assuraunce, & fals to ther cite,
He was chastised, anon as ye shal see.
Geyn Fidenates, a cuntre off Itaile,
Kyng Hostilius, for ther rebellioun,
Caste he wolde meete hem in bataile
For comoun profit and for diffencioun
Bothe off his cite & off his roial toun.
And for tafforce his parti in werkyng,
Off Albanois he sente onto the kyng,
Kyng Hostilius, for ther rebellioun,
Caste he wolde meete hem in bataile
For comoun profit and for diffencioun
Bothe off his cite & off his roial toun.
And for tafforce his parti in werkyng,
Off Albanois he sente onto the kyng,
To come in hast with his hool cheualrie,
And tarie nat in no maner wise,
But make hym strong to sustene his partie
Lich his beheste, as ye han herd deuise.
But kyng Mecius ful falsli gan practise
A sleihti tresoun and a couert wile,
Ageyn his promis the Romeyns to begile.
And tarie nat in no maner wise,
But make hym strong to sustene his partie
Lich his beheste, as ye han herd deuise.
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A sleihti tresoun and a couert wile,
Ageyn his promis the Romeyns to begile.
Yit he, outward pretendyng to be trewe,
Cam to the feeld with a ful gret meyne,
Lyuyng in hope to see sum chaungis newe,
That he on Rome myhte auengid be,
And speciali that he myhte see
Kyng Hostilius, off froward [fals] envie,
That day outraied with al his cheualrie.
Cam to the feeld with a ful gret meyne,
Lyuyng in hope to see sum chaungis newe,
That he on Rome myhte auengid be,
And speciali that he myhte see
Kyng Hostilius, off froward [fals] envie,
That day outraied with al his cheualrie.
First whan he sauh the Romeyns enbatailed,
And Fidynates on that other side,
Ther wardis redi for to haue assailed,
He couertli dede on an hill abide,
And to nor fro list nat go nor ride,
Nor his persone putte in iupartie,
But who was strengest, to holde on that partie.
And Fidynates on that other side,
Ther wardis redi for to haue assailed,
He couertli dede on an hill abide,
And to nor fro list nat go nor ride,
Nor his persone putte in iupartie,
But who was strengest, to holde on that partie.
Wheroff the Romayns fill in suspecioun
Off kyng Mecius whan thei token heed,
Till Hostilius off hih discrecioun,
Thoruh his knyhthod put hem out off dreed,
And gan dissymyle off Mecius the falsheed;
And to conforte his knyhtis off entent,
Seide what he dede was doon bi his assent.
Off kyng Mecius whan thei token heed,
Till Hostilius off hih discrecioun,
Thoruh his knyhthod put hem out off dreed,
And gan dissymyle off Mecius the falsheed;
And to conforte his knyhtis off entent,
Seide what he dede was doon bi his assent.
He was ful loth that his cheualrie
Sholde knowe theffect off Mecius tresoun,
Which cause myhte, in al or in partie,
Ful gret hyndryng be sum occasioun,
To deeme in hym falsnesse or tresoun;
Yit off trouthe, the story berth witnesse,
Al that he mente was ontrouthe & falsnesse.
Sholde knowe theffect off Mecius tresoun,
Which cause myhte, in al or in partie,
Ful gret hyndryng be sum occasioun,
To deeme in hym falsnesse or tresoun;
Yit off trouthe, the story berth witnesse,
Al that he mente was ontrouthe & falsnesse.
Thus off manhod and off hih prudence
He to his knyhtis gaff herte & hardynesse,
Made hem sette on be so gret violence,
That he the feeld[e] gat off heih prowesse,
On Fidynates brouht in so gret distresse,
And so outraied off force on eueri side,
Tofor Romayns that thei ne durste abide.
He to his knyhtis gaff herte & hardynesse,
Made hem sette on be so gret violence,
That he the feeld[e] gat off heih prowesse,
On Fidynates brouht in so gret distresse,
And so outraied off force on eueri side,
Tofor Romayns that thei ne durste abide.
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And whan Mecius sauh hem thus outraied,
Bi a maner off feyned fals gladnesse,
Lik as he hadde in herte be weel [a]paied,
To Hostilius anon he gan hym dresse,
Hymsilff reioisshyng bacountirfet liknesse:
And for his menyng pleynli was conceyued,
So as he cam, riht so he was receyued.
Bi a maner off feyned fals gladnesse,
Lik as he hadde in herte be weel [a]paied,
To Hostilius anon he gan hym dresse,
Hymsilff reioisshyng bacountirfet liknesse:
And for his menyng pleynli was conceyued,
So as he cam, riht so he was receyued.
Thus whan Mecius stood in his presence
With a pretense off feithful stabilnesse,
And al thapport off trouthe in apparence,
He shadwed hath his expert doubilnesse—
Under soote hony, couert bittirnesse,
Freendli visage, with woordis smothe & pleyne,
Thouh mouth & herte departed wer on tweyne.
With a pretense off feithful stabilnesse,
And al thapport off trouthe in apparence,
He shadwed hath his expert doubilnesse—
Under soote hony, couert bittirnesse,
Freendli visage, with woordis smothe & pleyne,
Thouh mouth & herte departed wer on tweyne.
But Hostilius hath al his fraude espied
And his compassed falsnesse and tresoun,
And therupon hath iustli fantasied
A peyne accordyng, Ipeised off resoun,
Hym to pun[y]she badouble passioun;
This to meene, lik as he was deuyded,
A double torment for hym he hath prouyded.
And his compassed falsnesse and tresoun,
And therupon hath iustli fantasied
A peyne accordyng, Ipeised off resoun,
Hym to pun[y]she badouble passioun;
This to meene, lik as he was deuyded,
A double torment for hym he hath prouyded.
This was his doom and his fatal peyne,
Be Hostilius contryued off iustise:
His feet, his armys tween chariettis tweyne,
Naked and bare, the story doth deuise,
To be bounde and knet in trauers wise,
Contrariousli the hors to drawe & hale
Till al his bodi wer rent on pecis smale.
Be Hostilius contryued off iustise:
His feet, his armys tween chariettis tweyne,
Naked and bare, the story doth deuise,
To be bounde and knet in trauers wise,
Contrariousli the hors to drawe & hale
Till al his bodi wer rent on pecis smale.
And riht as he was cause off ful gret trouble,
Founde ay in deede most ful off variaunce,
Therfor his peyne was maad in maner double,
Riht as hymsilff was double in gouernaunce:
Fals off his oth, off heste and assuraunce,
And double in menyng as he hath perseuerid,
So at his eende his membris wer disseuered.
Founde ay in deede most ful off variaunce,
Therfor his peyne was maad in maner double,
Riht as hymsilff was double in gouernaunce:
Fals off his oth, off heste and assuraunce,
And double in menyng as he hath perseuerid,
So at his eende his membris wer disseuered.
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His feet wer drawe from the hed assonder,
Ther was no ioynt with other for tabide:
Heer was a legg, and an arm lay yonder;
Thus ech membre from other gan deuide.
And for he koude holde on outher side,
Be fals pretense to outher parti trewe,
Hym to chastise was founde a peyne newe.
Ther was no ioynt with other for tabide:
Heer was a legg, and an arm lay yonder;
Thus ech membre from other gan deuide.
And for he koude holde on outher side,
Be fals pretense to outher parti trewe,
Hym to chastise was founde a peyne newe.
Bochas ageyn doubilnes and fals symulacion.
Lo, heer the eende off double fals menyng,
Whan woord & herte be contrarious,
Oth & beheste fals founden in a kyng,
Off Albanoys as was this Mecius!
O noble Pryncis, prudent and vertuous,
Lat neuer story afftir mor recorde,
That woord & deede sholde in you discorde.
Whan woord & herte be contrarious,
Oth & beheste fals founden in a kyng,
Off Albanoys as was this Mecius!
O noble Pryncis, prudent and vertuous,
Lat neuer story afftir mor recorde,
That woord & deede sholde in you discorde.
For kyng Mecius variaunt off corage,
Whos inward menyng was euer on tresoun set,
Treynes contreuyng with a fair visage,
His thouht, his herte with double corde fret,
Be Bochas called deceit and fals baret,
Which vice descryuyng, concludeth off resoun,
Fraude off all fraudes is fals decepcioun.
Whos inward menyng was euer on tresoun set,
Treynes contreuyng with a fair visage,
His thouht, his herte with double corde fret,
Be Bochas called deceit and fals baret,
Which vice descryuyng, concludeth off resoun,
Fraude off all fraudes is fals decepcioun.
For with a face flatryng and pesible,
Pretendyng trouthe vnder fals plesaunce,
With his panteris pereilous & terrible
Trappeth innocentis with granys off myschaunce,—
I meene deceit, that with hir c[o]untenaunce
Folkis englueth, symple and rek[e]les,
And them werreieth vnder a face off pes.
Pretendyng trouthe vnder fals plesaunce,
With his panteris pereilous & terrible
Trappeth innocentis with granys off myschaunce,—
I meene deceit, that with hir c[o]untenaunce
Folkis englueth, symple and rek[e]les,
And them werreieth vnder a face off pes.
Puissaunce off pryncis famous & honourable
Hath be deceyued bi this traitouresse,
And folk most prudent in ther estat notable
Ha[ue] be distourbled be such fals doubilnesse;
And many a knyht victorious off prowesse
Hath been entriked, for al his hih renoun,
Be treynes founde off deceit and tresoun.
Hath be deceyued bi this traitouresse,
And folk most prudent in ther estat notable
Ha[ue] be distourbled be such fals doubilnesse;
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Hath been entriked, for al his hih renoun,
Be treynes founde off deceit and tresoun.
Deceit deceyueth and shal be deceyued,
For be deceit[e] who is deceyuable,
Thouh his deceitis be nat out parceyued,
To a deceyuour deceit is retournable;
Fraude quit with fraude is guerdoun couenable:
For who with fraude fraudulent is founde,
To a diffraudere fraude will ay rebounde.
For be deceit[e] who is deceyuable,
Thouh his deceitis be nat out parceyued,
To a deceyuour deceit is retournable;
Fraude quit with fraude is guerdoun couenable:
For who with fraude fraudulent is founde,
To a diffraudere fraude will ay rebounde.
[Off kyng Hostilius that first wered purpill hewe consumpt with firy Levene.]
What sholde I mor off deceit endite,
Touchyng the fraude of kyng Mecius?
For I me caste now fynali to write
The fatal eende off kyng Hostilius,
Which was the firste, as seith Valerius,
In Rome cite that auctour[e]s knewe,
Among kynges, that wered purpil hewe.
Touchyng the fraude of kyng Mecius?
For I me caste now fynali to write
The fatal eende off kyng Hostilius,
Which was the firste, as seith Valerius,
In Rome cite that auctour[e]s knewe,
Among kynges, that wered purpil hewe.
But afftir al his tryumphal noblesse
And many vnkouth knyhtli hih emprise,
Fortune tappalle the pris off his prowesse,
Made hym to be, in ful froward wise,
Rekles and slouh[e] to do sacrifise
To Iubiter; for which, sent from heuene,
He was consumpt with sodeyn firi leuene.
And many vnkouth knyhtli hih emprise,
Fortune tappalle the pris off his prowesse,
Made hym to be, in ful froward wise,
Rekles and slouh[e] to do sacrifise
To Iubiter; for which, sent from heuene,
He was consumpt with sodeyn firi leuene.
Heer men mai seen the reuoluciouns
Off Fortunys double purueiaunce:
How the most myhti off Romayn champiouns
Haue sodenli be brouht onto myschaunce;
And ther outrages to put in remembraunce,
Grete conquestis turned to wo fro ioie,
For a rebuk I sende hem this lenuoie.
Off Fortunys double purueiaunce:
How the most myhti off Romayn champiouns
Haue sodenli be brouht onto myschaunce;
And ther outrages to put in remembraunce,
Grete conquestis turned to wo fro ioie,
For a rebuk I sende hem this lenuoie.
325
[Lenuoie.]
Rome, remembre off thi fundacioun,
And off what peeple thou took[e] thi gynnyng:
Thi bildyng gan off fals discencioun,
Off slauhtre, moordre & outraious robbyng,
Yevyng to vs a maner knowlechyng,—
A fals begynnyng, auctours determyne,
Shal be processe come onto ruyne.
And off what peeple thou took[e] thi gynnyng:
Thi bildyng gan off fals discencioun,
Off slauhtre, moordre & outraious robbyng,
Yevyng to vs a maner knowlechyng,—
A fals begynnyng, auctours determyne,
Shal be processe come onto ruyne.
Wher be thyn Emperours, most souereyn off renoun?
Kynges exiled for outraious lyuyng?
Thi senatours, with worthi Scipioun?
Poetis olde thi tryumphes rehersyng,
Thi laureat knyhtis, most statli ther ridyng,
Thyn aureat glorie, thy noblesse tenlumyne,
Is be long processe brouht onto ruyne.
Kynges exiled for outraious lyuyng?
Thi senatours, with worthi Scipioun?
Poetis olde thi tryumphes rehersyng,
Thi laureat knyhtis, most statli ther ridyng,
Thyn aureat glorie, thy noblesse tenlumyne,
Is be long processe brouht onto ruyne.
Wher is now Cesar, that took possessioun
First off thempire, the tryvmphe vsurpyng?
Or wher is Lucan, that maketh mencioun
Off al his conquest be cerious writyng?
Octovian most solempneli regnyng?
Wher is become ther lordshepe or ther lyne?
Processe off yeris hath brouht it to ruyne.
First off thempire, the tryvmphe vsurpyng?
Or wher is Lucan, that maketh mencioun
Off al his conquest be cerious writyng?
Octovian most solempneli regnyng?
Wher is become ther lordshepe or ther lyne?
Processe off yeris hath brouht it to ruyne.
[Where is the palace or royall mancion,
With a statue clere of golde shining
By Romulus wrought & set on that dongeon?
Where is thy temple of christal bright shewing,
Made half of gold, most rich[e]ly moustryng
Þe heauenly spheres, by compasse wrought & line,
Which that long processe hath brought vnto ruine?]
With a statue clere of golde shining
By Romulus wrought & set on that dongeon?
Where is thy temple of christal bright shewing,
Made half of gold, most rich[e]ly moustryng
Þe heauenly spheres, by compasse wrought & line,
Which that long processe hath brought vnto ruine?]
Wher is Tullius cheeff lanterne off thi toun,
In rethorik all other surmountyng?
Moral Senek or prudent sad Catoun,
Thi comoun proffit alwei preferryng,
Or rihtful Traian, most iust in his demyng,
Which on no parti list nat to declyne?
But long processe hath brouht al to ruyne.
In rethorik all other surmountyng?
Moral Senek or prudent sad Catoun,
Thi comoun proffit alwei preferryng,
326
Which on no parti list nat to declyne?
But long processe hath brouht al to ruyne.
Wher is the temple off thi proteccioun
Maad be Virgile, most corious off beeldyng?
Ymages erect for eueri regioun,—
Whan any land was founde rebellyng,
Toward that part a smal belle herd ryngyng,
To that prouynce thymage dede enclyne,—
Which bi long processe was brouht onto ruyne.
Maad be Virgile, most corious off beeldyng?
Ymages erect for eueri regioun,—
Whan any land was founde rebellyng,
Toward that part a smal belle herd ryngyng,
To that prouynce thymage dede enclyne,—
Which bi long processe was brouht onto ruyne.
Wher is also the grete extorsioun
Off consuleris and prefectis oppressyng?
Off dictatours the fals collusioun?
Off decemvir the froward deceyuyng?
And off tribunys the fraudulent werkyng?
Off alle echon the odious rauyne
Hath be processe the brouht onto ruyne.
Off consuleris and prefectis oppressyng?
Off dictatours the fals collusioun?
Off decemvir the froward deceyuyng?
And off tribunys the fraudulent werkyng?
Off alle echon the odious rauyne
Hath be processe the brouht onto ruyne.
Wher is become thi dominacioun?
The grete tributis thi tresours enrichyng?
The world al hool in thi subieccioun,
The suerd off vengaunce all peeplis manacyng,
Euer gredi tencrece in thi getyng,
Nothyng be grace, which that is dyuyne,
Which hath the brouht be processe to ruyne.
The grete tributis thi tresours enrichyng?
The world al hool in thi subieccioun,
The suerd off vengaunce all peeplis manacyng,
Euer gredi tencrece in thi getyng,
Nothyng be grace, which that is dyuyne,
Which hath the brouht be processe to ruyne.
In thi most hiest exaltacioun,
Thi proude tirantis provyncis conqueryng,
To God contraire be long rebellioun,
Goddis, goddessis falsli obeieng,
Aboue the sterris bi surquedous clymbyng,
Till [olde] vengaunce thi noblesse dede ontwyne
With newe compleyntis to shewe thi ruyne.
Thi proude tirantis provyncis conqueryng,
To God contraire be long rebellioun,
Goddis, goddessis falsli obeieng,
Aboue the sterris bi surquedous clymbyng,
Till [olde] vengaunce thi noblesse dede ontwyne
With newe compleyntis to shewe thi ruyne.
Ley doun thi pride and thi presumpcioun,
Thi pompous boost, thi lordshepis encresyng,
Confesse thyn outrage, & lei thi boost a-doun,
Alle false goddis pleynli diffieng!
Lefft up thyn herte onto that heuenli kyng,
Which with his blood, thi sorwes for to fyne,
Hath maad thi ransoun to saue the fro ruyne!
Thi pompous boost, thi lordshepis encresyng,
Confesse thyn outrage, & lei thi boost a-doun,
Alle false goddis pleynli diffieng!
Lefft up thyn herte onto that heuenli kyng,
327
Hath maad thi ransoun to saue the fro ruyne!
From olde Saturne drauh thyn affeccioun,
His goldene world[e] fulli despisyng;
And fro Iubiter make a digressioun,
His siluerene tyme hertili dispreisyng.
Resorte ageyn with will and hool menyng
To hym that is Lord off thordres nyne,
Which meekli deide to saue the fro ruyne.
His goldene world[e] fulli despisyng;
And fro Iubiter make a digressioun,
His siluerene tyme hertili dispreisyng.
Resorte ageyn with will and hool menyng
To hym that is Lord off thordres nyne,
Which meekli deide to saue the fro ruyne.
Thouh Mars be myhti in his ascencioun,
Be influence victories disposyng,
And brihte Phebus yeueth consolacioun
To worldli pryncis, ther noblesse auaunsyng,—
Forsake ther rihtis and thi fals offryng,
And to that Lord bowwe doun thi chyne,
Which shadde his blood to saue the fro ruyne!
Be influence victories disposyng,
And brihte Phebus yeueth consolacioun
To worldli pryncis, ther noblesse auaunsyng,—
Forsake ther rihtis and thi fals offryng,
And to that Lord bowwe doun thi chyne,
Which shadde his blood to saue the fro ruyne!
Wynged Mercurie, cheeff lord and patroun
Off eloquence and off fair spekyng,
Forsak his seruise in thyn opynyoun,
And serue the Lord that gouerneth all thyng—
The sterrid heuene, the speeris eek meuyng,
Which for thi sake was crownyd with a spyne,
His herte eek perced to saue the fro ruyne!
Off eloquence and off fair spekyng,
Forsak his seruise in thyn opynyoun,
And serue the Lord that gouerneth all thyng—
The sterrid heuene, the speeris eek meuyng,
Which for thi sake was crownyd with a spyne,
His herte eek perced to saue the fro ruyne!
Cast up off Venus the fals derisioun,
Hir firi brond, hir flatries renewyng,
Off Diana the transmutacioun,
Now briht, now pale, now cleer[e], now drepyng,
Off blynde Cupide the fraudulent mokkyng,
Off Iuno, Bachus, Proserpina, Lucyne:
For non but Crist may saue the fro ruyne!
Hir firi brond, hir flatries renewyng,
Off Diana the transmutacioun,
Now briht, now pale, now cleer[e], now drepyng,
Off blynde Cupide the fraudulent mokkyng,
Off Iuno, Bachus, Proserpina, Lucyne:
For non but Crist may saue the fro ruyne!
Voide off Circes the bestiall poisoun,
Off Cirenes the furious chauntyng;
Lat nat Medusa do the no tresoun,
And fro Gorgones turne thi lookyng;
And lat Sinderesis ha[ue] the in kepyng,
That Crist Iesu may be thi medicyne
Geyn such raskaile to saue the fro ruyne!
Off Cirenes the furious chauntyng;
Lat nat Medusa do the no tresoun,
And fro Gorgones turne thi lookyng;
And lat Sinderesis ha[ue] the in kepyng,
328
Geyn such raskaile to saue the fro ruyne!
Off fals ydoles mak abiuracioun,
To Simulacres do no worshepyng;
Mak thi resort to Cristes passioun,
Which may be merci redresse thyn erryng,
And be his grace repare thi fallyng,
So thou obeie his vertuous disciplyne,
Truste that he shal restore thi ruyne.
To Simulacres do no worshepyng;
Mak thi resort to Cristes passioun,
Which may be merci redresse thyn erryng,
And be his grace repare thi fallyng,
So thou obeie his vertuous disciplyne,
Truste that he shal restore thi ruyne.
His merci is surmountyng off foisoun,
Euer encreceth withoute amenusyng,
Ay at the fulle ech tyme and ech sesoun,
And neuer waneth be non eclipsyng.
Whan men list make deuoutli ther reknyng,
To leue ther synne & kome to his doctryne,
He redi is to keepe hem fro ruyne.
Euer encreceth withoute amenusyng,
Ay at the fulle ech tyme and ech sesoun,
And neuer waneth be non eclipsyng.
Whan men list make deuoutli ther reknyng,
To leue ther synne & kome to his doctryne,
He redi is to keepe hem fro ruyne.
O Rome, Rome, al old abusioun
Off cerimonies falsli disusyng,
Ley hem a-side, and in conclusioun,
Cri God merci, thi trespacis repentyng!
Truste he wil nat refuse thyn axyng,
The to receyue to laboure in his vyne,
Eternali to saue the fro ruyne.
Off cerimonies falsli disusyng,
Ley hem a-side, and in conclusioun,
Cri God merci, thi trespacis repentyng!
Truste he wil nat refuse thyn axyng,
The to receyue to laboure in his vyne,
Eternali to saue the fro ruyne.
O noble Pryncis, off hih discrecioun
Seeth in this world ther is non abidyng,
Peiseth conscience atwen will and resoun
Whil ye ha[ue] leiser, off herte ymagynyng,
Ye ber nat hen[ne]s but your disseruyng:
Lat this conceit ay in your thouhtis myne,
Bexaumple off Rome how al goth to ruyne!
Seeth in this world ther is non abidyng,
Peiseth conscience atwen will and resoun
Whil ye ha[ue] leiser, off herte ymagynyng,
Ye ber nat hen[ne]s but your disseruyng:
Lat this conceit ay in your thouhtis myne,
Bexaumple off Rome how al goth to ruyne!
Explicit liber Secundus.
Sequitur prologus libri tercij.
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PART II
| Lydgate's Fall of Princes | |